JBL, Infinity Car To Supply PRO Group

By Joseph Palenchar -- TWICE, 8/18/2010

Northridge Calif. - Harman Consumer will provide mobile audio products under the Infinity and JBL brands to the Progressive Retailers Organization (PRO Group), the company announced.

"This is an extremely significant partnership for both of us," said David Rogers, VP/GM of the Harman Consumer Division, Americas. "An important element of our go-to-market strategy is to develop true partnerships with key retailers throughout the U.S." Tapping into the PRO Group's retail member network "will really help us to drive increased momentum and sales, a goal that I've set my eyes on since taking on my newly appointed position with Harman Consumer."

  When the former Klipsch executive came to Harman, the company said his goals would be to improve the profitability of Harman's retailers and partners, accelerate product time to market, and upgrade the company's customer marketing, sales distribution and supply-chain activities.

  "This is truly a win for both of us," said Dave Workman, PRO's executive director and COO. PRO, he said, partners "with companies that not only provide the highest quality, leading products, but ones that see eye-to-eye with us in these values and goals."

 The PRO Group's members consist of brick-and-mortar, brick-and-click and online retailers with what the group called best-in-class merchandising, product selection, product knowledge and services. Members include Crutchfield, Bjorn's, Car Toys, Paul's TV, Chelsea Audio Video and Ovation Home Entertainment.