Vogel’s launches UK distribution company

Vogel’s has announced the opening of a UK distribution company, Vogel’s Products UK Ltd.

Following its split with BBG, the new UK office will be the distribution centre for both the company’s consumer and professional AV business in the UK, with a complete sales and marketing team to service UK retailers and end-users.

“I am delighted to announce the opening of Vogel’s Products UK Ltd - the aim of this office is to bring us closer to the UK market and to better meet local demands for consumer electronics developments with a dedicated physical presence,” comments Vogel’s CEO, Gerdi Vogels.

James Attfield, Country Manager for Vogel’s Products UK Ltd adds: “I’m excited to be heading up this new adventure that reflects the company’s growth ambition and increasing market presence - establishing a direct office will allow us to provide our clients with a high level of service and support, adapted to the specific needs of UK customers.”

For all sales enquiries, please contact James Attfield: 033 0202 0980 or email info.uk@vogels.com.

Flatscreens set for green revolution

Reports about plasma technology being banned by the EU may have been wrong, but ‘going green’ is predicted to be the next big thing in flatscreen TVs.

The EU looks likely to bring in minimum efficiency standards late this year, though most plasma TVs are expected to comply by mid-2010 at the latest. By then we should see the birth of new power consumption labelling system that makes it cleat to consumers just how much electricity plasma and LCD TV sets use.

Meanwhile, analysts at DisplaySearch are predicting that half of all mainstream flatpanel TVs will be ‘green’ by 2011.

Over a fifth that are sold now already have eco-friendly features, and this share is expected to rise to seventy per cent by 2012 - and dominate the market by 2014.

“Energy savings is a hot topic globally, whether the economy is good or bad,” says David Hsieh, Vice President of DisplaySearch. “Displays often have the highest power consumption of any component in electronics products.”
www.displaysearch.com

World’s largest LCD now available

Sharp has announced that its 108in LCD screen is now available to buy or hire. The high definition screen was developed by Sharp to demonstrate the advances that are being made in technological innovation and to “affirm Sharp as a global leader in the development of LCD technology”.

The 108in boasts a Full HD 1080p panel, and ASV low reflection black TFT LCD monitor with high-brightness and high-contrast features.

The TV is currently being used in locations the world over, including as a traffic information and weather update display in Japan and a video conference facility in Australia.

“We’re delighted that we can now offer our customers the chance to own our most breathtaking LCD screen,”  said Sharp Sales Manager, Commercial AV, Helen Sheldrake.

“The 108in is perfect for movies, sport and gaming - to name but a few applications. We at Sharp know that to some people, having the biggest and best technology is important and we wanted to provide the best product on the market.”

The 108in TV is also kinder to the environment with a low power-consumption design aimed at reducing C02 emissions. Despite the screen being four times larger than its predecessor, it consumes less than four times the power.
www.sharp.co.uk

Roth Audio appoints Roth AV for sales

UK-based consumer electronics company Roth Audio has appointed Roth AV to handle sales and distribution in the UK and globally.

The new company, headed up by James Roth, will handle distribution and sales of Roth Audio’s burgeoning product portfolio. This new arrangement sees Roth Audio move on from its previous contract with Armour Home Electronics.

The new deal also brings a major new investment into the brand from a new shareholder. And Kevin Grosvenor, previously of Harman International, has joined Roth AV as Head of UK Distribution Management. Roth AV is also actively looking to recruit successful sales professionals, as well as fill a tech support position.

“In these challenging trading times, we are chuffed to offer some great news about a great British company,”  James Roth said.

“On a personal note, I am delighted to renew my working relationship with Kevin Grosvenor - this guy really knows his stuff and within a week of joining he had significantly advanced Roth Audio’s sales. Here is to a new year and a new partnership.”

The new setup won’t disrupt James Roth’s involvement in the Fatman brand, where he continues to lead product development and international sales and marketing. Fatman is headed up by Tony Larking - Tony is also the man behind professional recording equipment manufacturer TL Audio - and retains its exclusive UK distribution deal with Henley Designs.
www.rothaudio.co.uk

Armour Home wins Sonance ‘Euro Distributor of the Year’

Armour Home has been awarded ‘European Distributor of the Year’ by Sonance, out-performing the other 26 Sonance distributors across Europe to win.

“We are extremely pleased to have received this accolade, because it is given in recognition, not only of the substantial increase in sales that we have achieved over the last year, but also of the ‘total service’ that we provide to our customers,” commented Ashley Hutchinson, brand manager responsible for Sonance products in the UK (pictured centre).

He continued, “As well as carrying large stocks for next-day delivery and providing full technical support and service back-up, the Armour Training Academy runs comprehensive training courses on all the Sonance products available in the UK.”

Aided by successful launches of new models in both its ‘Visual Performance’ and ‘Cinema’ loudspeaker ranges, Sonance’s UK sales increased 19% over the last 12 months.

Sonance products are available from authorised retailers and custom installers throughout the UK. Armour is the exclusive UK distributor of the Sonance range of in-ceiling and in-wall loudspeakers, as well as the market leading ‘iPort’ range of multi-room compatible in-wall and free standing docking stations for Apple iPods.
www.armourhome.co.uk
www.sonance.com