Indian TV brand hits UK
A new CE brand has announced its arrival in the UK, and revealed that its sees independents and regional multiples as key to its strategy.
Videocon, the top CE brand in its native India, has traded in Europe under the Nordmende brand since its 2006 purchase of Thompson’s factories in Italy and Poland. The company, who owns an R&D plant in Japan and intends to manufacture its own premium LCD TV – and possibly OLED – panels in India in 2011, plans to launch a 32in LCD TV, a 42in LCD TV and a Blu-ray player this year. Watch this space!
www.videoconworld.com
Harrods and Selfridges pick Peerless!
Leading department stores Harrods and Selfridges have introduced Peerless as their preferred brand of plasma, LCD and LED screen mounts - within the stores’ Sound & Vision departments.
Tony Schito, Area Sales Manager for Tekzone Sound and Vision Ltd which runs the Sound & Vision departments within Harrod and Selfridges, told HCD he was very happy with the response to the brand.
“We have been trialling the brand for a few weeks now and I am really pleased with the response from staff and customers, so much so that we have now removed all of our other bracket brands and replaced them with Peerless. The broad Peerless range and the quality of the product, coupled with the back up and service we receive from BBG makes this an unbeatable overall package.”
Gordon Dutch - Managing Director of BBG/Peerless added: “We are thrilled that Tekzone have chosen BBG and Peerless as their preferred brand of mounts and this is yet another example of the very high level of support we have received from our key retailers”.
For more information on BBG and Peerless go to www.bbg.eu.com/peerless
AWE to distribute Yamaha AV
Yamaha is building on its relationship with CI distribution specialist, AWE, with the announcement that the Epsom-based company will now act as exclusive distribution partner for Yamaha high-end AV products into the residential custom installation market.
AWE has supplied Yamaha’s amplifiers, players and receivers to custom installers for six years, and now has access to Yamaha’s entire range, including mainstream and premium products. As a result, AWE’s distribution lines will include Yamaha i-pod compatible products, Soavo 1 audiophile speakers and the Z11 (pictured).
“Since Audio-Visual products became part of Yamaha Music UK, our business and profile has developed rapidly,” comments Richard Ashby, Yamaha Sales Manager. “We recognise the importance of CI to our business, and we believe that the partnership with AWE is the perfect combination of product, service and support – powered by music!”
He adds: “The Yamaha brand and its AV products are renowned for their musical excellence and ultra reliability. AWE matches this with high quality service and support for the specialist custom installation channel. It’s a great fit, and one that both parties are looking forward to building on over the coming months and years”.
For further information on the Yamaha range available from AWE visit www.awe-europe.com, email sales@awe-europe.com or call 01372 729995.
BBG merges with Peerless
BBG Distribution Ltd, the Watford-based distributor of brands such as Jamo and Ateca has merged with Peerless Industries Inc, world-renowned designer, manufacturer and distributor of more than 3,600 audio-visual solutions.
BBG will continue trading as BBG Distribution Limited, distributing the existing line up of BBG brands from its 20,000 square-foot headquarters in Watford. Gordon Dutch will remain as managing director for BBG and has joined the advisory board of Peerless in the US.
“We are very excited to be part of such an innovative company”, Dutch told HCD. “Peerless Industries Inc is a respected leader in the audio-visual marketplace, especially in the commercial market where BBG is looking for major growth.
“This is further evidence of our deep commitment to the marketplace and to providing customers with an unmatched portfolio of products and services,” he added.
“This is an industry-defining model that demonstrates our passion for innovation - our combined team, with over 400 employees, will be a powerful force for unparalleled product support and choices,” said Mike Campagna, president, Peerless Industries Inc.
“Our expanded capabilities meet a wider set of customer needs, and leverage Peerless’ industry expertise along with our deep understanding of the marketplace,” concluded Campagna.
BBG’s range of products include Peerless flat panel mounts, projector mounts and AV carts/stands, AV furniture from Ateca and Gokeda, cables and connectivity solutions from Bandridge & Profigold, speakers and audio products from Jamo and AM branded products such as screen cleaners - plus a full assortment of accessories for both retail and commercial distribution.
www.bbg.eu.com
www.peerlessmounts.com
AWE announces Arcam distribution deal
AWE’s 2009 Expo was a great success, with attendees coming away fully informed about the CEDIA Award-winning distributor’s current range of products - including the latest Philips Pronto Polar Bear (training pictured). At the two-day event, AWE announced that it will act as the exclusive distributor in the residential installation sector for award-winning hi-fi and home cinema manufacturer, Arcam.
“This is brilliant news for AWE customers and for the CI market as a whole,” Stuart Tickle, Managing Director at AWE, comments on the deal.
HCD’s very own CI guru Martyn Williams, who attended the event, commented on the Expo: “This is just the sort of event the trade needs, particularly in these tricky times. We all need as much info as we can get about new kit, as the more info we have the easier it is to make a sale.”
Running from 22-23 April, the Expo provided a platform for AWE and its suppliers to showcase the latest CI products, and featured the following highlights:
• First UK showing of the exciting Philips 21:9 - a 56 inch LCD with the height of a 42 inch panel
• First UK showing of the new Philips Pronto TSU-9300 and custom-finished Pronto TSU-9600
• The new Panasonic TH-50VX100e and TH-65EX100e Custom Home Theatre plasmas
• The new 10 series of Panasonic Viera plasmas and LCDs
• European launch of the new Cineversum BlackWing One
• First UK showing of the upgraded Xantech MRC88M multiroom controller and HD88 video switcher
• The Xantech Digi-5 - a “ground-breaking” digital multi-zone multi-room audio
• The latest IR KIT from Xantech
The Arcam distribution deal is great news for the CI sector, and a “good fit”, according to Tickle.
“Arcam is a terrific, premium brand which stands for high quality design, performance and value. That’s why this brand is a perfect fit within the AWE portfolio,” he says. “This new relationship allows the CI sector better, wider access to the Arcam range, supported by a solid market strategy, ensuring first class technical support and a good margin for installers.”
“I am delighted to have agreed this new and exclusive distribution agreement,” adds Charlie Brennan, Managing Director of Arcam.
“Our performance led products are ideally suited to the AWE portfolio of premium solutions for the CI industry and we are particularly impressed by the high standard of technical support and customer care that AWE offers the CI dealer. We look forward to working closely with AWE over the years to come.”
Effective from 1 May 2009 and revealed to the industry at the recent AWE Spring Expo, the AWE/Arcam distribution agreement covers the new CI range and existing solo products, all of which have RS-232 control. AWE will stock the Arcam MZ8 and MZ12 8 and 12 channel multi-zone power amplifiers, the FMJ T32 DAB tuner and the complete SOLO range of music and movie systems, loudspeakers, iPod docks and accessories.
www.awe-europe.com
www.arcam.co.uk
BMB expands its European team
BMB Electronics has announced that Dave Ball (pictured), Darren Kightley and Yvette Kroon have joined its growing European team.
Dave Ball joins as UK sales representative, will be driving sales in The Midlands, the North of England and Scotland, and will be based at the head office in Stanton.
“Dave has an impressive background in the business and we are very pleased to have him on our sales team to look after our existing customers, develop new business and to be part of our growing international team”, says Gijsbert van Helden, General Manager for BMB Electronics BV.
New Technical Manager Darren Kightley will provide UK and European technical support and training for the BMB range of products whilst specializing in Niles Audio and URC remotes.
Willem Bok, founder of BMB Electronics BV comments: “We are delighted to add Darren as our technical manager in this market. With his technical background at Niles Audio, Darren has a great deal of experience in our industry and we are enthusiastic to have him join us to help out in the technical department”.
Finally, Yvette Kroon is the new order processor working from the Netherlands office, and will handle all orders outside the UK.
www.bmbelectronics.eu
CSE and DUET merge to form CSECUSTOM
CSE and DUET, the well known UK distribution companies that have for many years operated as CSE Distribution Ltd have merged to form a single operation, CSECUSTOM.
Continuing to trade as CSE Distribution Ltd, the new business and its customers will benefit from the consolidation of sales, service and accounts departments, eliminating duplication while strengthening
support for custom installers and retailers.
“We decided on CSECUSTOM because it best describes the business we’ve always been in, which is the supply of high performance AV systems for custom design in the home,” comments CSE’s Ian Severs.
Former Duet director Mark Hungate added: “I’m delighted at the merger and the chance to join Ian at CSE. In pooling our resources we can unite all the potential of our fantastic brands with the experience of our dedicated personnel at a time when many distributors are in retreat.”
Symbolising the merger is a new URL: www.csecustom.com, a new logo (pictured), a refreshed website and a regular E-Shot campaign, which will showcase new products, training events, product offers and reviews.
CSECUSTOM will distribute the following brands in the UK: Audio Pro, AV Racks, DVDO, Emphasys, Geneva Labs, Image Audio, InFocus, Lexicon, Liberty, Living Control, Mirage, Onkyo, Primare, Proficient, Projecta, Rako, Revel and SpeakerCraft.
CSECustom trade contacts will be: 01423 359054, Fax 01423 359058, info@csecustom.com, www.csecustom.com
BBG to distribute Peerless
BBG Distribution Ltd has announced an exclusive partnership with Peerless Industries Inc., manufacturer of professional-grade AV mounting solutions for the US. The partnership enhances BBG’s product portfolio and introduces a full range of both consumer and professional products to UK retailers and installers.
“This agreement is the result of a perfect alignment between our two companies,” comments Gordon Dutch, BBG’s CEO.
“We are thrilled with the newly created partnership and feel that Peerless’ mounting solutions will be an asset to our business and the UK market. With such innovative and world-beating products, this range is going to give forward thinking retailers a wonderful opportunity to maximise their bracket sales in the remainder of 2009 and beyond.”
Mike Campagna, president, Peerless Industries Inc, adds: “The synergy between our two companies specifically around commitment to quality, innovative products, training and customer care is perfectly matched, and we’re very excited to expand our reach into the UK and add to BBG’s outstanding product offering.”
The distribution agreement gives BBG Distribution Ltd. exclusive rights to distribute Peerless products throughout UK and enables the company to offer all independent retailers and custom installers a complete range of high margin products.
For further sales information contact the BBG Sales Office on +44(0)1923 205610
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
