Port Washington, N.Y. — The NPD Group has acquired the consumer electronics, imaging and computer businesses of Current Analysis, a Washington D.C.-based research firm that helps technology companies develop competitive responses to changing industry dynamics.
NPD has organized the three units as an autonomous business group under the NPD umbrella. The new entity, dubbed Current Analysis West, will remain based in San Diego, and its offices will also serve as NPD’s West Coast headquarters.
Current Analysis West will continue to provide causal information including competitive pricing, promotions and share of shelf; analytical expertise; and competitive response solutions. NPD said those services will complement its own sell-through information on national and local markets and the supply chain information available through its DisplaySearch subsidiary.
NPD group president Rupert Walters will head the leadership team of Current Analysis West, which will also include Current Analysis veterans Rich Alires as executive VP, and Patrik Schmidle as operations and product management VP. NPD director Amadeo Rodriguez will serve as chief liaison between NPD and Current Analysis West and will work closely with Walters on the development of overall business strategy and product strategy for the combined enterprise, the company said.
“Our vision is to capitalize on our respective strengths in order to provide a higher level of information and solutions, initially to the consumer technology industry and, ultimately, for other industries,” said Walters. “Current Analysis West offers a unique combination of causal data, tools, and analysis that we believe will enhance our business and lead to long-term growth opportunities.”
Raymond Keneipp, president and COO of Current Analysis, said his company is working with NPD and Current Analysis West to ensure a smooth transition with no disruption in the delivery of information. Current Analysis will continue to serve the telecommunications, networking and business software industries.
For more information visit www.currentanalysiswest.com.
