Distributor Update: What's New And Noteworthy

New York — The following is a rundown of the latest developments among this issue's distributor panel:

AVAD launched its Canadian division in late January. Its first location opened in the Toronto area and a second will be open in Calgary in March.

"This is a huge step for us and so far the Canadian dealers are responding nicely," said AVAD president, Bob Gartland. "AVAD is now an international company and we have brought our unique business model to the Canadian custom installation specialists. We are excited at the results so far"

Capitol Sales recently added Canton Electronics Movie Series home theater systems and NEC's DSX telephone systems to its line card.

Curt Hayes, the company's president and chief financial officer, also told TWICE that Capitol is expecting "great turnout" at its annual Dealer Education and Technology Showcase, to be held May 5-6.

Cardinal Electronics has added products from JVC, Jobsite by Niles, Cambridge SoundWorks, CPS extended warranties, and iLive docking solutions to its line card over the past 12 months.

DBL Distributing will publish its new spring catalog in April. The company's purchasing director, Richard Lee, told TWICE that DBL has added more than 20 new vendors to its lineup, including LG, Onkyo and Haier.

Lee said that DBL will also host its largest Vendor Expo in DBL history to coincide with the catalog launch.

Separately, Lee also reported that DBL is now offering CEDIA certification seminars. They will begin in March with additional training seminars held at the Vendor Expo in April.

DSI's Doug Robison told TWICE that his company is focusing on its DirecTV core business as well as its ecommerce fulfillment business and rent-to-own business, both of which he said "are growing rapidly." Robison added "Our national installation network, which has been primarily geared toward installing DirecTV and Wild Blue broadband is now equipped to install consumer electronics and home theater products."

The EDGE Group recently voted in a new VP, Brett Neiderman of Tech Source Distribution in Mongromeryville, Pa.

The group also added two new members, RTE and Dorrance Supply. "With these two member additions we've not only filled our remaining vacant territories, but we've also added five new points of distribution, and expanded our offering into the builder market, which is an exciting opportunity for us," said Katye Schmoldt, director of The EDGE Group.

Schmoldt added that over the course of 2008, the company "will continue to offer dealer education events, with an increased focus on better business practices and overall profitability."

Finally, SED International's CE merchandising VP Tom Roper told TWICE that over the past eight months SED has added products from Mitsubishi, Olevia, RCA, Audiovox and Sansui. He said the company also added Samsung, Universal Remote, Bellow and JVC to its Warehouse Direct fulfillment program for the Nationwide Marketing Group.

Rober said that in the second quarter of 2008, SED will add custom install products from HiFi Works, Omnimount, Peerless, Channel Master and Acoustic Research to complement its Panasonic Pro panel business.