I had barely lit up the pixels with my post on Nortek’s holiday termination of their remaining independent sales representative groups, when I began hearing from a number of other sources about high-end specialty brand Bryston terminating their rep force as well. It’s like a New Year’s assault on sales representative groups…and they aren’t happy about it…
Strategy
Gibson’s Speedy Bankruptcy Exit Hits a Big Roadblock
I have to admit, Strata-gee was considering moving on from its Gibson Brands (Gibson Guitar) coverage, first started in 2012 when the company made several acquisitions as part of an ill-advised foray into the consumer electronics business. As delineated in our copious coverage, Gibson CEO Henry Juszkiewicz turned to OPM (other people’s money) loading the company up with over half a billion dollars in debt to pursue a business in which the company had no expertise…ultimately resulting in Gibson’s bankruptcy filing in May of this year.
Gibson’s major creditors banded together, put together what some would call a pre-packaged bankruptcy plan and looked as though they would exit bankruptcy late November/early December. They were wrong. As they tried to power out of bankruptcy, they hit a brick wall – the United States Trustee who has filed a serious objection to their motion to exit bankruptcy.
Now what? See what the U.S. Trustee objects to in Gibson’s plans… [Read more…] about Gibson’s Speedy Bankruptcy Exit Hits a Big Roadblock
Gibson Says, Sorry Memphis, We’re Outta Here
Just a matter of months ago, Gibson Brands management assured the town elders of Memphis, TN that the company remained committed to the vibrant music community in Memphis and that they were looking for new digs somewhere within that community. But that was then and this is now – the company was basically taken over by KKR and now the company has decided to vacate Memphis, moving their group there to Nashville.
See more on the incredible shrinking Gibson… [Read more…] about Gibson Says, Sorry Memphis, We’re Outta Here
CEDIA Admits Membership Declined in 2018
‘We Do Anticipate Membership Will Be Down in 2018’
Last week, I posted an extensive report on CEDIA’s annual State-of-the-Association presentation which took place last month via a webinar for members. Certain staff and board members offered a long and detailed presentation on the many aspects of the Association’s activities in 2018. As I said then, it at times felt more like a sales pitch, than a report to members, but nonetheless they did have much to talk about.
However, my antenna went up when a chart of the number of members was shown, seeming to indicate a signficant decline. I followed up with CEDIA after the presentation for clarification – and now we know – CEDIA membership has most likely declined in 2018.
See what I learned about the state of CEDIA membership in 2018… [Read more…] about CEDIA Admits Membership Declined in 2018
Monster Sales Declines & Losses Continue
Sales Drop 30% But Losses Narrow in Recent Fiscal Quarter Report
Monster Products Inc. (formerly Monster Cable) filed their latest quarterly results with the SEC showing that sales for their fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2018 declined to $9.1 million or 30.3% below the $13.1 million booked in the same quarter a year earlier. However, thanks to aggressive cost cutting, the company’s net loss narrowed to ($6.9 million) in the quarter as compared to a net loss of ($7.3 million) in the same period last year.
Monster’s declines continue, although at a slowing pace… [Read more…] about Monster Sales Declines & Losses Continue
CEDIA Tells Members Everything’s Fine; But Is It?
The Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA), held their annual member’s webinar where association staff and board representatives review the “State of the Association” for those members tuning in to the webcast. The polished, prepared presentation offered an upbeat assessment on the organization’s accomplishments in 2018. But, as you might suspect, I uncovered a couple of interesting issues in which I’m seeking some follow-up clarification.
See what CEDIA presented to members… [Read more…] about CEDIA Tells Members Everything’s Fine; But Is It?
Japanese Startup to Disrupt U.S. Residential Construction Market
As you head home from work today, take a look around you at the other commuters on the road. All around you are Toyotas, Hondas, Nissans, Suburus and the like. These are all signs of the incredible success Japan has has penetrating the U.S. automobile market – taking significant market share away from the once dominant Big Three American auto makers, GM, Ford, and Dodge/Chrysler many years ago.
Can Japan do it again? Are builders D.R. Horton, Lennar, PulteGroup, K.B. Homes at risk of the same loss of market share? If Takeshi Homma (pictured here) is successful, he hopes to help Japanese companies take a big bite of the American homebuilding market.
See this bold plan to bring Japanese companies into American homebuilding… [Read more…] about Japanese Startup to Disrupt U.S. Residential Construction Market
Klipsch Black Friday Proceeds to Aid Cancer Patients
Klipsch is doing something good with a portion of their anticipated increased holiday website revenues during the upcoming Black Friday to Giving Tuesday time period. The company will donate a portion of their proceeds to The Autumn Leaves Project – a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to aiding those who are battling one of the deadliest illnesses known, pancreatic cancer.
Read more about Klipsch using Black Friday for this charitable purpose… [Read more…] about Klipsch Black Friday Proceeds to Aid Cancer Patients
Bowers & Wilkins Restructures in Support of R&D
Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) announced today it has restructured its company in order to further its research and development initiatives. In a brief announcement, only four paragraphs long, new CEO Gregory Lee (former CEO of Samsung North America) said a new, larger research facility will open in 2019.
See more on this announcement from Bowers & Wilkins… [Read more…] about Bowers & Wilkins Restructures in Support of R&D
Foxconn’s Double Dose of Bad News
A Negative Financial Report & a New Wisconsin Governor Add to Headaches
No doubt about it, Apple Inc. supplier Foxconn has had a really bad week. First, last Tuesday Wisconsin voters kicked Republican Governor Scott Walker out of office, replacing him with Democrat Tony Evers. Then early this week, the company released financial results with disappointing earnings that missed analysts estimates. Both of these unrelated events have combined to cause market analysts to question the company’s strategy going forward.
