EDGE Group Reports Gains In Sales, Space and Customers

SAN LEANDRO, CALIF. — The 14-member EDGE Distributor Group — which targets select retailers within the custom installation market — recently reported that it is showing active dealer base growth of 75 percent, distribution sales growth of 56 percent, warehouse square footage increases of 64 percent and showroom square footage increases of 85 percent.

The growth can be attributed to a number of recent moves by the group overall and its respective members. For example, EDGE has added four new companies to its vendor portfolio, including Xantech, Chief and Sanus Systems, Gefen and Planar Systems.

The group will also be offering dealers advanced Level II A/V calibration events beginning this fall, based on the success of its recent Level I Video Calibration Certification program. EDGE reported that 450 of its dealers attended the program, which ran from April through August at each of the group's member locations.

The new programs being offered include an Advanced Home Theater Audio Calibration program and an Advanced Video Display Calibration program. Those interested in registering should contact a local EDGE Group member by visiting www.edgegroup.org, or by contacting EDGE's director Katye Schmoldt at katye.s@edgegroup.org or (866) 396-6531.

Meanwhile, individual Edge members haven't been idle either. Here's a rundown of some of their latest doings:

• Tech Source Distributors has expanded from its six-year-old facility in Horsham, Pa., to a new, larger location in Montgomeryville, Pa. The facility features warehouse space, administrative offices, a classroom-style training facility, a showroom and event spaces.
• BDC Distributors moved from Bayside, N.Y., to a new facility in Westbury, N.Y.
• CTD Marketing, of Fort Wayne, Ind., hosted its annual post-CEDIA golf outing Sept. 20 and dealer training event Sept. 21 at Caesars' Resort in Southern Indiana. An additional dealer training event to be held Sept 27 at the Fort Wayne Memorial Coliseum.
• Electronic Lane, Dallas, will host Consumer Electronics Expo 2007, its third annual regional trade show, from Mar. 31 through April 1, 2007 at the Marriot Quorum Hotel in Dallas. The event is intended to cater to custom installation dealers, and the company says it will feature seminars, training sessions, access to factory representatives, special show prices and exhibitions from 90 manufacturers.