Combined Initiatives between Two Well-Established Companies to Provide Even Deeper Specialty Dealer Support and Product Offerings
LEXINGTON, KY — ELAN Home Systems, a leading manufacturer of award-winning Multi-Room audio / video and home automation systems, announced today that the company and its new sister company, Sunfire, a specialist in the design, manufacture and marketing of high-end audio/video components, have merged their domestic and international sales, marketing, training, and customer service personnel and resources. ELAN and Sunfire will also continue to leverage and share technologies where synergistic.
This combined effort will provide new opportunities for ELAN and Sunfire Dealers with even greater support and attention, as well as one source for complete, premium home theater and fully integrated home system solutions. This move will capitalize on each company’s core strengths and result in greater efficiencies in order to further establish their leadership positions within the Custom Installation marketplace.
The ELAN Regional Sales Managers will now oversee sales of the Sunfire line in addition to the comprehensive ELAN line, while the ELAN Technical in-field Regional Associates will provide Sunfire with hands-on design, training, and applications aid in their respective regions nationwide. In addition, nearly all ELAN independent Representative companies across the country are now representing the Sunfire line, a strategic move which will ultimately provide an even stronger and more streamlined Dealer sales and support system.
This news comes on the heels of last fall’s announcement reporting that ELAN and Sunfire planned to collaborate closely as a result of Sunfire’s recent acquisition by ELAN’s parent company. The companies announced that they would leverage and share technologies, wherever synergistic, in order to best serve their Dealers and present them with the best in state-of-the-art audio and home theater product offerings.
As part of today’s announcement, it was reported that Bob Farinelli, President and Chief Technology Officer for ELAN, had assumed the post of President of Sunfire. Bob Carver, Sunfire’s Founder, will remain onboard continuing to serve as the company’s Chief Technology Officer.
According to Mr. Farinelli, “Merging these powerful resources will allow the newly combined ELAN / Sunfire Sales force the opportunity to provide a more complete and higher level of home theater performance-oriented products for Specialty Dealers, including a wide assortment of innovative subwoofers, electronics, control and speakers. This will also dramatically enhance our Dealer’s time relative to training, purchasing and support.”
Mark Weisenberg, General Manager of Sunfire added, “Both Sunfire and ELAN are exceptional companies offering quality, high-fidelity products. Sunfire has built its reputation by introducing unique products that provide practical solutions through cutting-edge technology. This marriage presents vast opportunities and greater efficiencies for both companies and therefore tremendous advantages for our Dealers worldwide. By offering both brands, together we deliver a wider variety of products and services especially designed and manufactured with the Specialty Dealer and the discerning consumer in mind.”
As part of their newly combined marketing efforts, ELAN and Sunfire will exhibit jointly at the upcoming Electronic House Expo (EHX), to be held in the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida from March 30 through April 1, 2006, sharing booth #918. Key ELAN and Sunfire personnel will be available throughout the show sharing the companies’ combined branding, resource and product strategy with their Dealers. Both companies will conduct training sessions on Friday in separate classrooms at the convention center.
About ELAN Home Systems:
ELAN Home Systems is a leading manufacturer of innovative, award-winning Multi-Room audio/video and home automation systems. Based in Lexington, KY, the company’s systems were the first to integrate audio, video, phones and third-party products to create a seamless, easy-to-use “whole house” experience. The company’s unique products provide complete lifestyle, feature-rich solutions, yet can be configured to fit the specific needs of every homeowner. ELAN products are distributed through a comprehensive channel of select Dealers and Distributors throughout the United States, Canada and 58 countries worldwide. Both ELAN and Sunfire are part of Linear’s Home Technology Group. To learn more, visit www.elanhomesystems.com.
About Sunfire:
Based in Snohomish, Washington and founded by renowned audio innovator Bob Carver, Sunfire Corp. designs, develops, manufacturers and markets audio products that deliver exceptional performance, features and value, creating powerful, emotional Home Theater experiences wherever they are heard. Dedicated to improving the state of the art in audio, Sunfire’s numerous patented technologies represent over 35 years of scientific research culminating in several industry firsts. Innovative patents include the Tracking Downconverter power supply used in its acclaimed, award-winning subwoofers and amplifiers, as well as the High Pressure, High-Back-EMF technology also used in its subwoofers. Key Sunfire components include the True Subwoofer Series, TGA amplifiers, TGP-5 Processor, the Ultimate Receiver II, and the D-Series subwoofers. More information is readily available at www.sunfire.com.
ELAN is a trademark of ELAN Home Systems, LLC, Lexington, KY. VIA!, VIA!dj, and VIA!dvdj are trademarks of ELAN Home Systems, LLC. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
— 30 —
PRESS CONTACTS FOR ELAN:
Steven Style
President
The Steven Style Group
212-465-1290
stevens@stylegroup.com
New York, NY
Cat Fowler
VP Marketing & Technical Services
859-269-7760 x161
Lexington, KY
cfowler@elanhomesystems.com
ELAN Home Systems
PRESS CONTACTS FOR SUNFIRE:
Mark Weisenberg
General Manager
Sunfire
Snohomish, Washington
425.335.4748
markw@sunfire.com