Karma-av launches

Karma-av launches

A new distribution company, Karma-av, has been launched by ex-CSE Custom figures Ian Severs and Mark Alcock delivering several big name brands that were key in the CSE Custom line up.

Brands handled by the new company include Mark Levinson, Revel, Lexicon and JBL Synthesis, Primare, Image Screens and Audio Pro. The company says other significant brands, personnel and web profile will be added in the New Year.

Although a new company, Karma-av says it unites the proven brand-building talents of Ian Severs and Mark Alcock, representing over fifty years experience in the service and support of dealers and installers in the luxury home AV market.

Commenting about the new company, Karma’s Ian Severs said: “I’m delighted to be developing the UK interests of some the most desirable high-performance brands in the world. That we’ve won the backing of these brands in a very competitive situation is a major vote of confidence in our business ethics and proficiency. We will be announcing complementary additions to the Karma brand portfolio early in 2011.”

For more information call the Karma-av office: 01423 358946,

or contact Ian or Mark at is@karma-av.co.uk or ma@karma-av.co.uk

Alphason and Armour Become One

Alphason and Armour become one   AV manufacturer and distributor Armour Home this week announced that it is consolidating its two businesses, Armour Home and Alphason, into one company to ‘ensure a sound platform for future growth’.  The Alphason brand which accounts for £20+million of the £50+ million group, will continue to operate from its HQ and production facility in Wigan. The revised organisation will be headed up by Glenn McClelland who is appointed managing director of the new AH board of directors. In addition Glenn will have specific responsibility for AH RD, marketing and product management. Chris Emerson, formerly Alphason’s chief operating officer, joins the new AH board as Armour Home’s sales director responsible for all AH products both in UK and international markets.    Full integration  Commenting on the changes Glenn McClelland said: “In view of the challenging market conditions across the whole sector and following a comprehensive review, we decided to embark upon a course of action to fully integrate the two businesses into a single entity called ‘Armour Home’.  “These changes are to consolidate and perpetuate Armour’s leading market position, ensuring a sound platform for future growth.” Glen added: “Alphason will remain the most significant part of this entity, but as a major brand sitting alongside the other AH brands, rather than as a separate company. We anticipate this will take some months to fully complete, however the starting point is the integration of management functions which will take place immediately.” Other changes include that of Kevin Taylor, formerly Armour’s marketing and e-commerce director, becoming responsible for operations and staff at all sites relating to purchasing, production, distribution and stock control.  Business development director Bob Abraham will continue to participate in all aspects of new product development including new idea generation, brand and product plans, new technologies and intellectual property registration. He will continue to work alongside the development teams in both AH at Bishops Stortford and CDC in Woking. Both Bob Abraham and Kevin Taylor are also appointed directors of the new AH board, alongside AH finance director, Nicky Spence. More information: Armour Home +44 (0)1279 501 111 www.armourhome.co.uk

New distributor Fusion formed to deliver SpeakerCraft in the UK

Formed to continue and strengthen the UK presence of the SpeakerCraft brand, the new Fusion team unites the sales experience of Mark Hungate, Clive Eddy, David Bunnage, Glenn Kelly, Grant Bourne and Paul Slater in a technical support role (operating as SAV) with the marketing expertise of Pulse Marketing. Fusion says the new set up combines the potency of a marketing specialist to the sales force that took SpeakerCraft from zero to a leading market position in the space of two years.

Although Fusion argues it represents a powerful blend of experience from two companies, the company says it will operate as an independent business with its own corporate, contact and accounts ID. Complementary brands will be joining Speakercraft in the Fusion portfolio very soon.

Commenting on the formation of Fusion, SpeakerCraft’s VP of international sales Linda Van Zanten said: “A brand with the reputation and status of SpeakerCraft demands the best service and support for its customers. The Fusion team has the experience to enhance the understanding and application of SpeakerCraft products in the UK.”

Fusion’s Mark Hungate said: “We now have the potential to get the best out of our brands even in a highly competitive market. By concentrating on better service, information and supply, we can help installers to deliver the best performance and value to their customers.”

Fusion’s Mike Beatty said: “In SpeakerCraft and in our growing product offering, we have the opportunity to prove that co-ordinated marketing and sales can make a huge difference to the way brands are perceived and utilised for the benefit of dealers and the industry as a whole.”

Fusion encourages you to call:

Office; 0843 289 7195; Mark Hungate; 07805 094150; Grant Bourne; 07754 659022

South west Area Sales Manager Clive Eddy; 07805 094149

South east Area Sales Manager Dave Bunnage; 07528 484148

Northern England and ROI Area Sales Manager Glenn Kelly; 07771 925722

Technical Support Paul Slater; 07805 097863

Mike Beatty; 07787 506701

Email, web presence and online ordering will be available soon.

Loewe Targets Installers

Loewe targets install growth

In an exclusive interview with Essential Install, Marc Nikolai MD of Loewe UK has revealed the company is looking to add at least fifty installers in to its dealer base in the next 12 months. Marc says: “In the UK we want to focus more on installers. Our Galerie stores and independent retailers will of course continue to be important, but installers are a key client group for us and we feel we can deliver a very strong brand and product offering.”

Marc explains: “I think we have perhaps 50 installers at the moment using the Loewe brand and I would really like to see that number increase to 100 over the next year. We only want to work with installers that really understand the brand, so early in 2011 we will introduce a training programme that will explain the products and the brand values that Loewe can offer installers. On completion of the course installers will have full access to one of the best install offerings around, fully B2B protected.”

Marc also points out that installers should remember that although Loewe is quite rightly best known for its high quality TV products, currently best defined by the top of the Range Reference model, it also now has much more of a one-stop-shop to offer installers with audio delivery solutions, a network-enabled content storage and delivery product in the form of its Media Centre and a Blu-ray player.

Marc adds: “Most recently the brand has added LED and 3D options to its TV offering (see last month’s EI) and an attractive mocha colour option in the Art family, which has been very well received. Installers should also note that many Loewe TVs can be bespoke finished to match a clients interior as part of any normal order of a TV.”

Marc adds: “The company now has TV options well suited to the Hotel market, particularly in the Individual TV range and the company’s roadmap also includes on demand services built into the TVs. Installers should also look out for a return to more classic Loewe styling with the company’s traditional wave and eye motive which run long the bottom of the screen coming back into prominence.

More information +44 (0)1294 315000 or www.loewe-uk.com

All stands now booked!

As the excitement builds for Essential Install Live! we’re pleased to announce that the event is fully booked. Over 50 of the leading players in the custom install sector will be exhibiting. If you’re in the custom install industry, this is an event that you can’t afford to miss. Pre-register for Essential Install today!

Pre-register for Essential Install here: www.essentialinstalllive.com

Only 5 stands remaining for Essential Install Live!

With a week to go there are just five stands still available for Essential Install Live! If you’re quick you could take one and exhibit at this years most exciting custom install event. Essential Install Live has already had nearly 400 visitors pre-register. This one day event is certain to be a success so call to book your stand today!

See the floorplan on the website: www.essentialinstalllive.com

Pre-registrations stream in for Essential Install Live

Pre-registrations are streaming in for Essential Install Live; from the North and South of England (as far down as Cornwall), from Ireland and from Scotland. This proves beyond doubt that, although predominantly constructed as a regional show, Essential Install Live’s appeal is nation wide! Don’t miss it.

Visit the website: www.essentialinstalllive.com