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Having Dumped Everything Else, Pioneer Makes Plans to Dominate Car Electronics

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About the AV biz? Hoping Onkyo Keeps the Pioneer Name…

Photo of Pioneer President
Susumu Kotani, President
Pioneer Corporation

In a revealing interview with the Nikkei in Tokyo, Pioneer Corp. President Susumu Kotani said that Pioneer – after spending several months selling off all of its divisions other than automotive – is considering resorting to acquisitions in order to build a dominant position within its chosen market. A radical shift after months of divestiture, he makes clear that the company is preparing to move to offense, in order to build a new – and expanded – future.

See more on the company’s plans – including just what areas Pioneer is considering entering… [Read more…] about Having Dumped Everything Else, Pioneer Makes Plans to Dominate Car Electronics

Despite Revenue Decline, JVC Kenwood Cuts Losses as Restructuring Takes Hold

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JVC Kenwood logoJVC Kenwood Corp., the troubled consolidation of two struggling Japanese brands, seems to have turned a corner despite reporting fiscal Q2 and first half revenue declines and continuing losses. The company, which in January surprised many by announcing its decision to withdraw from the consumer electronics business to focus on B-to-B business, announced with pride that – although still showing a loss – the company has seen solid improvement in profits with dramatically reduced losses.

See more on this huge company in a big transition… [Read more…] about Despite Revenue Decline, JVC Kenwood Cuts Losses as Restructuring Takes Hold

Yamaha’s Fiscal First Half Results are Mixed

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Yamaha logoYamaha Corporation released the results for its fiscal first semester or first half of the fiscal year 2015 (April 1, 2014 – September 30, 2014) with results generally positive, but mixed. Overall consolidated sales increased 4.4% to ¥206.4 billion ($1.9 billion) as compared to ¥197.7 billion ($1.8 billion) in the same period last year. But of some concern is the fact that only one of its four major business segments showed an increase in operating profits – and two of the four lost money during the period.

See more on Yamaha’s financial performance… [Read more…] about Yamaha’s Fiscal First Half Results are Mixed

Nortek Releases Q3 Results; Has AV Turned a Corner?

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Nortek LogoNortek, Inc., a diversified manufacturer of commercial and residential products largely targeted towards the new construction business, announced on Monday the financial results of the third quarter of their current fiscal year. Overall, the results were mostly positive, although two of their business units saw revenues decline in the quarter. Surprise…surprise…neither of them were the newly designated AVC (Audio Video Control) segment, as you (and we) might have suspected.

AVC showed a sales increase. Does this mean AVC has turned a corner in results?… [Read more…] about Nortek Releases Q3 Results; Has AV Turned a Corner?

Ingram Micro’s Q3 Financials Show Sales Up; Profits Down

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Ingram Micro logoIngram Micro, Inc. released the financial results for their fiscal third quarter (the period ending Sept. 27, 2014) showing generally positive results. Sales for the quarter increased to $11.2 billion, a $1 billion or 11% increase over the $10.2 billion for the same period last year. According to Ingram Micro CEO Alain Monié, the increase was due primarily to “new wins” and “strong market share.”

But while gross profits were up, gross margins, operating income, and net income were all down for the period…and that fact led us to take a closer look.

See our report below on the financial results for Ingram Micro… [Read more…] about Ingram Micro’s Q3 Financials Show Sales Up; Profits Down

In First Step of Transformation, Thiel Terminates Reps

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New Thiel logo black backgroundIn a notice emailed to dealers last Thursday sporting a spiffy new corporate logo, Thiel took what appears to be the first step in what is promised to be a stream of “regular communications from us” regarding the company’s transformation from a legendary audiophile loudspeaker brand to a…well to what, we just don’t know yet. But what we do know is that the company has begun this transformation by terminating its entire national independent sales representative sales force.

See what Thiel told dealers was the reason for terminating their local sales rep…

[Read more…] about In First Step of Transformation, Thiel Terminates Reps

Center of Planet Panasonic Since 1970, AV Headquarters to be Closed, Demolished & Sold

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Photo of Panasonic signIn what is surely a demonstration of a conclusive shift in its business strategy – not to mention a bit of heavy symbolism in hometown Osaka, Japan – Panasonic Corp. has announced its intentions to close, demolish and sell off the real estate of its existing AV headquarters building that served as the home of its TV and AV business since the 1970s. The center of the universe for tech-heavy Panasonic, many in Japan look to this development as a sign of the end of an era as this 160,000-sq.-meter (1.7 million-sq.-ft.) building was where the company’s TV business and digital electronics businesses were created and managed.

See more on this dramatic example of industrial change in Japan… [Read more…] about Center of Planet Panasonic Since 1970, AV Headquarters to be Closed, Demolished & Sold

Sharp Says They’ll Be First to Market with 8K TVs – Plans 2015 Start

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Image of large UHDTV Screen

Sharp Corporation has announced in Japan that it intends to be the first company in the world to bring 8K LCD TVs to market – and says it will begin making them in 2015. Sharp made the comments at CEATEC, a major trade show for the IT and CE industries taking place right now in Japan.

Are you ready for 8K?… [Read more…] about Sharp Says They’ll Be First to Market with 8K TVs – Plans 2015 Start

Big Changes at Core Brands: Pollock Retires & Keller is Out

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BREAKING NEWS

Nortek's Core Brands LogoWe received word late today of big changes taking place at Core Brands as the company announced that President Bill Pollock will retire “after 27-years leading Panamax-Furman” and Core Brands. Pollock’s retirement becomes effective at the end of the year and he will be replaced by Joe Roberts, currently Core Brands Vice President of Products and Marketing.

The company also announced that Senior Vice President of Sales Dave Keller will be also leaving the company “before the end of the year.” Interestingly, there was no reason given for Keller’s departure.

See more on these dramatic developments… [Read more…] about Big Changes at Core Brands: Pollock Retires & Keller is Out

Pioneer Says Merger Talks with Onkyo Continue; But Equity Partner Appears Sidelined

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Pioneer LogoPioneer Corporation released an interesting document on September 12th – while much of the tech media was in Denver for CEDIA – titled Notice with Respect to Basic Agreement for the Integration of Pioneer’s Home AV Business and Onkyo. This curious document, six pages long, gives an update as to the state of the discussions between the parties in the previously announced “basic agreement” between Pioneer, Onkyo, and Baring Private Equity Asia for a “Capital/Business Alliance” related to Pioneer’s Home AV business.

Now, apparently, the deal’s changed…with Baring PE pushed to the sidelines… [Read more…] about Pioneer Says Merger Talks with Onkyo Continue; But Equity Partner Appears Sidelined