We seem to be in a week of big deals. First, we learned that SnapAV had acquired Control4, then we learned that the original founder of Paradigm has acquired back the Paradigm, Anthem, and Martin Logan brands from the private equity company that had bought the company from him some time back. Now we learn that Sound United, owner of Denon, Marantz, Polk Audio, Definitive Technology, HEOS, Classé, and Boston Acoustics has entered into an agreement with Onkyo Corp. to purchase Onkyo’s premier lineup of brands, including: Onkyo, Integra, Pioneer and Pioneer Elite.
Manufacturers
SnapAV Snaps Up Control4 in Deal Valued at $680M
The world exploded this morning with the news that SnapAV and Control4 are merging their operations in a transaction that no one saw coming. Although publicized as a merger, actually SnapAV is acquiring Control4, agreeing to pay $23.91/share in a deal that is worth a total of about $680 million.
See how SnapAV’s acquisition of Control4 is reshaping the industry…
[Read more…] about SnapAV Snaps Up Control4 in Deal Valued at $680MLG’s Fiscal 2019 Q1 Revenues & Income Decline
Overall Results Decline, But Company Hails Record Results in Home Appliances
LG Electronics Inc., a leading manufacturer in a diverse range of businesses, announced their fiscal 2019 first quarter results this week. With consolidated sales of KRW (Korean won) 14.92 trillion ($13.27 billion) and an operating profit of KRW 900.6 billion ($801.25 million), the company showed respectable numbers, but those results that represented a decline for the quarter.
LG’s Q1 declined, read on to see why…
[Read more…] about LG’s Fiscal 2019 Q1 Revenues & Income DeclineLuxman Announces Rep Awards at AXPONA 2019
Luxman America took advantage of the recent high-end AXPONA 2019 show to announce awards to two top manufacturer sales representatives for outstanding sales achievements. Luxman Corp. president Terry Kawakami, presented both John Pravel and Rick Tydings with special gifts from Japan to honor their over-and-above efforts.
See more on these Luxman rep awards…
[Read more…] about Luxman Announces Rep Awards at AXPONA 2019James Loudspeaker Launches New Mavericks Division
Innovative architectural loudspeaker designer/manufacturer James Loudspeaker announced this week that it will split off its Mavericks theater products into their own division, the Mavericks Architectural Cinema (MAC) division. This new division will offer the company’s dramatic Mavericks theater speakers for both the high-end residential and commercial cinema installation markets.
See more on James’ new Mavericks division…
[Read more…] about James Loudspeaker Launches New Mavericks DivisionFormation – A Formidable Foray into Digital for B&W
Ever since EVA Automation acquired Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) back in 2016, I have nervously watched to see the impact of this clash of cultures – new wave with old school. Strata-gee had already exhaustively reported on the painful slow-motion train wreck of Thiel Audio – another high-end audio brand purchased by private equity. In that case, its ultimate demise was in part due to the launch of affordably-priced, but common Bluetooth technology speakers relying on the power of the Thiel brand to justify the non-common selling price.
Would audiophile darling B&W suffer the same fate?
See more on B&W’s new Formation wireless line…
[Read more…] about Formation – A Formidable Foray into Digital for B&WB&W: Flying in ‘Formation’
BREAKING NEWS
The day has finally arrived. A day long rumored…but never announced. A project shrouded in mystery…willfully maintained, with leaks locked as tight as a special counsel investigation. But now, at long last, all is revealed…for on this day Bowers and Wilkins (B&W) launches their all-new concept – the Formation line of products. And the mystery is finally unveiled. Best of all…Strata-gee recently got a sneak peek that we can reveal now.
See what B&W shared with me just days ago…
[Read more…] about B&W: Flying in ‘Formation’Panasonic/Sony OLED Joint Venture JOLED Raises Money
There’s been a lot of action this week on the OLED beat – in this case, news that holds promise for a new robust competitor in the OLED market. The company, known as JOLED (for Japan OLED), is a joint venture between two TV powerhouse brands and a major display manufacturer that has successfully raised money to complete a new OLED factory.
See more on just what Panasonic and Sony are up to…
[Read more…] about Panasonic/Sony OLED Joint Venture JOLED Raises MoneySonos Intros New CFO and Stock Drops Again
Last week Sonos (Nasdaq: SONO) announced a new CFO to replace current CFO Mike Giannetto, whose retirement was unexpectedly announced almost as an afterthought in a February report of Q1 fiscal results. Late in the text associated with those results, CEO Patrick Spence, in an almost casual fashion, thanked Ginnetto for his service and told investors the CFO was retiring…a total surprise to the market. Sonos stock dropped double digits…and dropped even though the company had reported a record first quarter. (Read my report to see troubling signs within the ‘record’ Sonos quarterly report…)
New CFO intro & Sonos stock drops again…
[Read more…] about Sonos Intros New CFO and Stock Drops AgainTech Hit Hard in Latest Reputation Index Survey
Privacy Backlash Hits Google, Amazon & Facebook; What About LG, Samsung, Sony?
In a new survey by Reputation Institute on corporate reputation, known as the 2019 RepTrak 100, we see wild swings in tech brands’ reputation with consumer privacy concerns finally appearing to take a major toll. With an overall all-category average reputation rating increase of +0.8 points, technology as a segment saw its collective reputation drop by 1 full point on the scale.
But the news wasn’t all bad – movie king Netflix, Inc. jumped 23 spots to come in at #1 for the first time in their history.