Sonos Inc. and Lenbrook Industries announced today that they have reached a settlement agreement bringing the patent litigation brought by Sonos to a close. The agreement is confidential, so no terms were disclosed.
Major Credit Agencies Downgrade Outlook for GKN – Biggest Melrose Company
Future of Nortek a Question
Melrose plc, parent company to Nortek, Inc., has taken some serious incoming hits this month – hits from both major credit rating agencies Fitch Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service. And these hits hurt. Fitch was first when they announced a couple of weeks ago that in a review of GKN Holdings Limited – Melrose’s largest holding by far – it was maintaining its credit rating at current levels, but it was changing its future “Outlook” to “Negative.” Today, Moody’s announced they too were changing their outlook on GKN from “Ratings Under Review” to “Negative.”
See why credit pros are downgrading the mighty Melrose bet on GKN…
[Read more…] about Major Credit Agencies Downgrade Outlook for GKN – Biggest Melrose CompanyResidential Construction & New Home Sales Bounce Back in June
Two new economic reports from June covering the housing industry show promising results, with both residential construction (otherwise known as housing starts), and sales of newly constructed homes taking a nice bounce in June. This was welcome news after dramatic declines hit the housing market in early Spring.
But will it hold?
See more on the changing housing market
[Read more…] about Residential Construction & New Home Sales Bounce Back in JuneSources: Nortek Security & Control Shutting Down Niles and Sunfire Brands
Multiple sources are confirming to Strata-gee that Nortek Security & Control (NSC or Nortek) is planning to shut down two of their brands – Sunfire and the once iconic Niles. The move is said to be the result of their relative under-performance as the company shifts its focus to the apparently more successful brands, such as Elan.
See more on the closing of Niles & Sunfire by Nortek
[Read more…] about Sources: Nortek Security & Control Shutting Down Niles and Sunfire BrandsIs the Residential Wellness Segment About to Explode?
A New National Rep Group is Counting On It
A national network of sales representatives have formed a group to promote and sell products supporting the residential wellness segment – sometimes known as the “healthy home” segment. Called the PureTech Alliance, the organization was conceived and formed by two former founding members of another national group – this one of regional specialty A/V distributors – known as the Alliance of Value Added Distributors (AVAD).
AVAD went on to become a successful $200 million national distributor that helped drive the growth of the custom installation channel and was ultimately acquired by Ingram Micro. Will lightening strike twice?
See more on PureTech Alliance and residential wellness…
[Read more…] about Is the Residential Wellness Segment About to Explode?Why Don’t You ‘Like’ Me
No…that headline is not a question. It is a suggestion. So let me explain what I’m talking about. There are many ways I try to determine which stories that Strata-gee readers like. One tool, widely used in social media, as well as on other digital properties, is the ‘like’ button. So let me tell you about Strata-gee’s trial ‘Like’ button.
Why am I talking about likes? Read more on Strata-gee’s trial ‘Like’ button…
[Read more…] about Why Don’t You ‘Like’ MeWelcome to the All-New, Completely Re-Designed Strata-gee.com
Information, Insights, & Ideas To Help You Build a Better Strategy
What’s new at Strata-gee.com? In a word…EVERYTHING! I’m so excited to introduce you to the all-new design for Strata-gee.com. After several years working with the old layout…which served me well for a very long time, I’m incredibly buzzed to launch this new version.
Learn more about the updated Strata-gee.com…
[Read more…] about Welcome to the All-New, Completely Re-Designed Strata-gee.comSonos Slashes Headcount by 12%, Closes NY Store, and Cuts CEO Spence’s Pay 20%
In a new filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Sonos, Inc. [SONO:NASDAQ] announced a series of measures to try and get company costs under control in the wake of the COVID-19 impacted economy. More drastic than previous announcements, Sonos said it will cut its global headcount, close its New York retail store, close six satellite offices, cut the CEO pay, and further cut the executive team’s pay.
See more on these serious Sonos cutbacks…
[Read more…] about Sonos Slashes Headcount by 12%, Closes NY Store, and Cuts CEO Spence’s Pay 20%B&W Offers New Products & Old Friends as Sign of Strategy Change
Intros 700 Series Signature Models & Rehires Past PR Agency
Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), a leading high-end specialty loudspeaker brand for 54 years, that recently zigged and zagged when it was acquired by EVA Automation and launched a whole new line of wireless multi-room audio systems, has taken steps to demonstrate its re-focus on their high-end, high-performance roots. These moves include re-hiring the company’s long time PR company and now launching new products that are true to its heritage as an undisputed leading premium brand.
Learn more about B&W’s latest moves…
[Read more…] about B&W Offers New Products & Old Friends as Sign of Strategy ChangeIn Global Supercomputer War – Land of the Rising Sun Rises to Eclipse American Technology
On Monday morning, during my usual morning health walk, I listened to a podcast where the host proclaimed – quite proudly – that nobody is better at technology than the U.S. Just a couple of hours later, the Nikkei reported that Japan had bested both the U.S. and China with an all new and mightily powerful supercomputer. Step aside America!