The DaVinci Group (TDG), a specialty supplier of custom integration gear including architectural speakers, amplifiers and more, has taken extraordinary steps to offer their dealers responsibly sourced personal protection equipment (PPE), such that their work crews can safely continue to access job sites and clients’ homes fully protected. An example of creative thinking, TDG used their sourcing prowess to find a reliable resource for a range of PPE gear that is desperately needed by integrators…many of whom report a lack of local supply.
Manufacturers
Crestron Launches Handy System Configurator for Crestron Home Systems
Crestron Electronics has launched a handy new Configurator for their Creston Home system that gives integrators the ability to pre-configure systems in-house prior to deployment. This new configurator helps integrators efficiently setup and test their Crestron Home systems configuration and cuts deployment time dramatically.
See more on the new Crestron Home Configurator…
[Read more…] about Crestron Launches Handy System Configurator for Crestron Home SystemsAfter Nearly 18 Years, SVP & GM Doug Cole Leaves Universal Remote Control
For several days now, multiple sources have reached out to Strata-gee to report that Doug Cole, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Universal Remote Control – better known as URC – has left the company. I have confirmed his exit, a decision that marks the end of a long career leading the organization’s sales and marketing efforts.
See more on Cole’s exit from Universal Remote Control…
[Read more…] about After Nearly 18 Years, SVP & GM Doug Cole Leaves Universal Remote ControlMelrose Suspends Dividends, Cuts Executive Pay
Parent of Many Top CI Brands Steps in to Adjust for Impact of COVID-19
Melrose Industries PLC has announced it will suspend the payment of its usual year-end dividend in the face of the deteriorating economic environment as a result of the global spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). Melrose, the U.K. turnaround specialist that is parent company of the U.S. based Nortek has taken other actions to adjust operations at its operating companies in the face of COVID-19.
Learn more about Melrose’s actions to adjust to COVID-19…
[Read more…] about Melrose Suspends Dividends, Cuts Executive PaySavant Launches New Support Structure & Options for Today’s ‘New Normal’
You don’t need me to tell you…the entire world has changed dramatically in just a few short weeks. Deadly viral outbreaks forcing government mandated ‘Stay-at-Home’ orders is something we haven’t seen in our lifetimes. Well the good news is, Savant remains committed to supporting their dealers and has aggressively taken action to more effectively configure their company’s support systems to meet the challenges of today’s environment.
See Savant’s changes to improve support in changed environment…
[Read more…] about Savant Launches New Support Structure & Options for Today’s ‘New Normal’As Overall Economy Hit by COVID-19, Layoffs Hit Tech as Well
AudioQuest Announces Downsizing
A relatively large number of readers and industry sources have reached out to Strata-gee with word of cutbacks and layoffs at various industry brands – as the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) takes its toll on the U.S. economy. As was reported in a post just a few days ago, jobless claims jumped dramatically – by 33% in just one month – only to be exceeded a few days later by a massive jump in claims of 3 million more unemployed workers.
Now we are beginning to see layoffs in Tech…
[Read more…] about As Overall Economy Hit by COVID-19, Layoffs Hit Tech as WellStrata-gee Survey: Majority of All Tech Businesses Already Impacted by COVID-19
Strata-gee’s COVID-19 Impact on Tech Study Offers Insights on Early Pandemic Impact
This week, Strata-gee launched a survey designed to get a sense of the level of impact on Tech businesses by the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic now sweeping across the United States and the globe. Thinking that the timing of this survey was very early in the spread of the epidemic and likely to reveal a calm baseline reading, respondents surprised us with results that are fairly dramatic and showed that many are already feeling the impact.
See Strata-gee’s Survey: COVID-19 Impact on Tech…
[Read more…] about Strata-gee Survey: Majority of All Tech Businesses Already Impacted by COVID-19Audio Design Associates Location in Yonkers is Closed
When last we heard from Audio Design Associates just this past December, the company had put out a statement to industry media that a company shutdown was likely imminent. This was shocking news from a company with a long and venerable history as both an integrator and a well-respected manufacturer of custom integration gear.
Now, we learn from a Strata-gee reader that Audio Design Associates has apparently closed their location in Yonkers, NY …
See more on the status of Audio Design Associates’ Yonkers location…
[Read more…] about Audio Design Associates Location in Yonkers is ClosedB&W Letter to Dealers Confirms Gideon Yu and Greg Lee Leave the Board; Questions Remain
High performance loudspeaker manufacturer Bowers and Wilkins (B&W) sent a letter to their dealers last week addressing issues that have arisen recently, especially as they pertain to the management of the company. As is often the case with this company, the letter answered some questions…but raised others.
See more on B&W’s dealer letter…
[Read more…] about B&W Letter to Dealers Confirms Gideon Yu and Greg Lee Leave the Board; Questions RemainLeave Sony for Sound United?? Frank Sterns Senses Opportunity
When news first appeared two months ago that Frank Sterns was making the move from Sony to Sound United, many folks asked…why? At Sony, he was a top executive with a global CE leader positioned at the top of the industry food chain…a backbone-of-the-industry brand…the inventor of many of the core technologies used in just about every home in America today. Yes, Sound United is a global player as well, but in a much more limited way…and focused exclusively in only one area…audio.