At a recent dealer show, integrator and entrepreneur Richard Millson of Millson Custom Solutions presented what he called “The BMW of structured wiring panels” to integrators attending the event. Millson’s premise was simple – if you’re going to install a structured wiring panel in your smart home installations, shouldn’t you install a smart panel? It was logic that many found hard to argue…
Florida’s C&E Mktg Acquires AV Biz of AVR in S.E.
C&E Marketing, a manufacturer sales representative firm based in Sunrise, FL announced last week that it has acquired the home AV division of Audio Video Representatives (AVR) based in Marietta, GA. C&E specializes in a wide range of custom integration lines, while AVR represents and distributes both mobile electronics and home AV lines.
See more on this expansion by C&E into the Southeast market… [Read more…] about Florida’s C&E Mktg Acquires AV Biz of AVR in S.E.
Options Narrowing as Gibson & KKR Talks Fail
We learned last week that talks between Gibson Brands and deal making king KKR Credit Advisors fell apart in a dispute over “the appropriate consideration for the various parties involved,” according to a statement from Gibson Brands. As yet another bail-out opportunity slips by them, Gibson Brands sees their options narrowing, with an August deadline on a required financial restructuring of more than $500 million of debt rapidly approaching.
See more on this dire situation at Gibson Brands… [Read more…] about Options Narrowing as Gibson & KKR Talks Fail
Technology & Business Summit Acquired by CEDIA
The Era of the Rep at CEDIA
The Custom Electronics Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) announced today that it has acquired the Technology and Business Summit, a regional sales rep-driven dealer show. The move raises some interesting questions, as these regional shows are believed to impact centralized national shows, such as the CEDIA Expo, which they sold to Emerald Exposition a little over a year ago.
See more on this new CEDIA acquisition… [Read more…] about Technology & Business Summit Acquired by CEDIA
Lutron Partners with SnapAV for OvrC-Enabled RA2 Select
BREAKING NEWS
SnapAV announced today that it has partnered with lighting kingpin Lutron to offer a special version of their RA2 Select repeater, part of an entire RA2 Select system, that has been natively integrated into SnapAV’s OvrC remote management system. The agreement between the two of them is said to have been taken with the goal of “expanding the market for smart lighting control.”
See more on this new partnership between Lutron and SnapAV… [Read more…] about Lutron Partners with SnapAV for OvrC-Enabled RA2 Select
Polls: Facebook Faces a Major Trust Crisis
Stunning Reversal for Once-Loved FANG Brand
Facebook finds themselves square in the middle of a political and public relations fire storm, as news of the firms connection to Cambridge Analytica and the harvesting of the personal data on at least 50 million Facebook users, including perhaps you and I, have recently received a lot of news coverage. Now word comes via two new polls that the company’s brand has taken a serious hit in the eyes of their users and former fans.
See more on these latest polls about Facebook from Reuters/Ipsos… [Read more…] about Polls: Facebook Faces a Major Trust Crisis
Newly Flush Sony’s Smart Employee Pay Strategy
Big Raises and Record Bonuses for Sony Employees in 2018
Sony Corp. is said to be planning to raise their employees pay rates by a very substantial 5 percent – and to pay record bonuses, according to a report by the Japan Times. This move is seen as a smart strategy by the company, newly flush with record profits after their successful turnaround by outgoing CEO Kaz Hirai, as it battles to secure top talent in a highly competitive hiring environment.
See more on how Sony is pressing their advantage to attract top talent… [Read more…] about Newly Flush Sony’s Smart Employee Pay Strategy
LumaStream is a Star…An Energy Star, That Is
LumaStream announced today that they have achieved Energy Star certification on select models, a notable milestone for the young provider of low-voltage LED lighting solutions. The company says their 481-485 series architectural downlights used with the Trinity 12 450mA DMX power supply were thoroughly tested and awarded the Energy Star certification – a program that is popular with many energy-conscious consumers today.
See more on this LumaStream development… [Read more…] about LumaStream is a Star…An Energy Star, That Is
Tributaries’ Industry First 10-Meter HDMI Cable Certified 18G
Tributaries announced today that it offers a historical first – a passive 10-meter HDMI cable that has been certified by DPL Labs and ISF as offering a true 18Gbps data speed for genuine 4K/60 HDR performance. According to the company, this cable, known as the UHDT Titan Passive, is the longest passive HDMI cable certified by independent testing labs as reliably offering a true 18Gbps level of performance.
See more on Tributaries new, long-run, passive HDMI cable… [Read more…] about Tributaries’ Industry First 10-Meter HDMI Cable Certified 18G
A 2-Time Win-a, Wally Whinna Sells Allnet to SnapAV
A Dramatic Shift in SnapAV’s Strategy
SnapAV announced today that it has acquired Allnet Distributing, the Chicago-based distribution company owned by Wally Whinna, who years ago sold a distribution company to Ingram Micro as part of their acquisition of AVAD. This makes Whinna a two-time winner, having created two distribution companies and selling them off, likely for a handsome profit – this time to industry powerhouse SnapAV.
