Edge Expands Market Presence

Phoenix, Ariz.— Edge Distributor Group, the six-year-old, 12-member consortium of regional distributors serving the premium custom installation market and select retailers, is expanding its market presence with the addition of a new LCD line and its participation in last month's Consumer Electronics Expo 2005 in Dallas.

The latest manufacturer to join Edge's vendor roster is NuVision, makers of the Deep Black line of flat-panel LCD TVs. The units, initially offered in 23W-inch, 26W-inch, 32W-inch, 37W-inch and 45W-inch screen sizes, feature 1000:1 contrast ratios; proprietary, state-of-the-art circuitry; and aggressive price points.

Separately, Edge Group distributor Electronic Lane, along with two other Dallas area distributors, sponsored last month's debut Consumer Electronics Expo at the Marriott Quorum Hotel. Some 1,300 attendees signed up for the event, including 300 dealers, who participated in seminars and training sessions, had access to factory representatives, were offered special show prices, and saw the latest introductions from 70 leading home and mobile CE vendors.

Cumulatively, the 12-member Edge group has 100,000 square feet of warehouse space holding $5 million in inventory, and enjoys revenues of $50 million annually through its 6,000-customer dealer base. According to Edge executive committee member Mike Hench — who's also a principal in Edge distributor Electronics Source — each of the dozen member companies is currently logging sales growth of between 35 percent and 50 percent over last year. Hench attributes the group's success to its narrow but deep assortment, including plasma displays from NEC, DLP TVs from Optima, LCD panels from ViewSonic and now NuVision, and mounts from Peerless; its high level of full service support; and low pricing that's at or near sheet, along with prepaid freight.