Alpine Offers Training and Certification Opportunities for the Alpine OPTIM8

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AUBURN HILLS, MI (06.23.23) – Alps Alpine North America, Inc. (“Alpine”) will offer training and certification opportunities for Alpine Authorized Retailers and Distributors on the new Alpine OPTIM™8 8-Channel Hi-Res Sound Processor and Amplifier with Automatic Sound Tuning.

Alpine will travel to 11 cities across the country’s west coast, midwest, and east coast regions and feature an in-depth product training session, demos in an OPTIM™8-equipped vehicle, and exclusive event-only specials and giveaways.

“We’re excited to offer this nationwide training to our network of dedicated Alpine Authorized Retailers who are invested in deepening their understanding of the Alpine Product Line,” said Mike Anderson, Executive Director of the Alps Alpine Brand Business Unit. “By bringing this product training directly to our dealers, we’re able to provide a pure Alpine Brand experience while offering valuable sales and marketing tactics for this exciting new product.”

Launched earlier this month, the Alpine OPTIM™8 entered the market as a solution to the pain points associated with digital sound processors by offering an automatic sound tuning function that can tune an entire sound system in five minutes. The traveling training event was created as a way for Alpine Authorized Retailers to experience this groundbreaking product firsthand and become “Alpine OPTIM™8 Certified.”

The Alpine OPTIM™8 training events started in California this week and will continue across the country during the 2023 summer season. All U.S. Alpine Authorized Retailers are encouraged to find and register for an Alpine OPTIM™8 Roadshow event near them by talking to their Alpine Representative.

Visit alpine-usa.com for more.

Site On Sound Alpine Experience in Fargo, ND Drives In-Store Traffic And Sales

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FARGO, ND (06.22.23) – The Alpine Experience on Wednesday June 14th at Site On Sound was very special as the company is celebrating 40 years in business. For the event three remotes also took place on site with local radio stations.

Chris Reavis did demo after demo in the Apline RAM during the day.

Butch Boisjulie, Site on Sound owner, offered “No doubt we had a lot going on with the Alpine RAM and tent out front along with the pickups from the radio stations. We definitely thank Alpine for their support. It was a great day!”

Butch Boisjulie by the Alpine display in the Site On Sound showroom.

Chris Reavis, behind the RAM wheel related “We did demo after demo letting attendees experience HiRes audio in the passenger seat. After demos several attendees asked to me to come listen to their rides and give sussestions which I gladly did between demos. During the day, time was also spend training staff members on the OPTIM8 Automatic Sound Tuning Processor.”

Two of the three radio remote trucks pictured out front of Site on Sound.

As part of the day’s action burgers and brats were prepared on the grill and nearly 150 were enjoyed by attendees.

Chris Reavis pulled the Alpine RAM onto the Site On Sound lot early Wednesday morning June 14th.

Concluding Boisjulie stated “Being in business for 40 years we have worked with many families. A grandfather came with his grandson’s car and handed me the keys and just said…..’put in a system for my grandson’. Having built those relationships are terrific and probably one reason we are booked out for a month in the install bay.”

Visit alpine-usa.com for more.

KICKER Brings Innovation, Education and Prizes to Indy KnowledgeFest

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STILLWATER, OK (06.22.23) – KICKER returns to MEA KnowledgeFest at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, June 23-25.

Thirty of the world’s largest 12-volt manufacturers will attend the event. KICKER’s booth will be located north of the Convention Center’s main entrance.

The full KICKER product line will be on display, including bespoke products for auto, marine, motorcycle and powersports. “Bass-head” consumers are rejoicing at KICKER’s reestablished competition line of products, including ST-Series P.A. Speakers and SoloX Subwoofers. Marine and powersports dealers will see the new PXA-Series of waterproof amplifiers, in addition to the award-winning KMXL Horn-Loaded Speakers.  In a nod to its history, KICKER is also showcasing 50th-anniversary Compeition Gold™ Subwoofers, featuring gold speaker terminals, advanced cooling characteristics and KICKER’s signature ribbed surrounds.

Also in the booth will be KICKER’s Fiat 500 Sport, equipped with the award-winning KEY Smart Amplifiers and technology. The Fiat will also feature the KICKER Quad Box loaded with L7 subwoofers.

The KICKER Tech Force training crew will give two trainings during the show. The classes will help installers quickly determine the equipment needed to integrate aftermarket audio into a factory sound system, using KICKER’s revolutionary FIT™ and KEY technologies. All training attendees will automatically be entered to win one of two weather-proof KICKER PowerBar sound-bar units. The first class will be held Friday at 3 p.m., followed by one on Saturday at 4:15 p.m.  Show attendees can obtain more information at the KICKER booth.

For more details, visit www.knowledgefest.org.

BOSS International Group Systems Hires Matthew Delgado as Senior National Sales Manager

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OXNARD, CA (06.22.23) – BOSS Audio Systems is very excited to announce it has hired 12 Volt industry veteran Matthew Delgado as Senior National Sales Manager. Effective immediately, Delgado reports to Navid Farhand, BOSS International Group Exec VP of Sales and Marketing.

Matthew Delgad, Senior National Sales Manager

Jumping right into it, Matthew’s role will be to revamp the current Planet Audio and new Planet Pro audio lines. “I am excited to join the team. I see this as an opportunity to contribute to a forward-thinking/fast-moving company. We have a lot of exciting plans for Planet Pro and Planet Audio to solidify it as our premier brand in the B.I.G. family,” said Delgado. “I can’t wait to start collaborating with the amazing teams here at B.I.G. to deliver audio solutions that exceed customer expectations!”

With over 20 years in the 12 Volt industry, Delgado had previously held a position as Director of Sales for MSC-America, as well as working for Metra Electronics, Elettromedia USA, and even running his own Rep group. His deep understanding of consumer technologies, marketing trends, and car audio industry standards positions himself as a valuable asset to the company.

“Matthew’s impressive track record in the car audio industry makes him a perfect fit for B.I.G. All of us here look forward to his valuable contributions and role in shaping the future of B.I.G.” said Farhand. “Matthew will bring a fresh perspective to Planet Audio and Planet Pro.”
 
For more information, please visit www.bossaudio.com.

Elite Distributor Alliance Hosted Annual Owners Meeting in Denver

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DENVER, CO (06.21.23) – Elite Distributor Alliance (EDA), a leading provider of distribution services to the 12 volt aftermarket, held its annual owners meeting at the Grand Hyatt in Denver, Colorado the week of June 5th.

L to R: Antonio Ghirardelli, Santa Fe Distributing; Louis Gil-Levert, ADS; Robert Di Cesare, ADS

The meeting was attended by 50 industry leaders, including principals from EDA’s member companies. During the meeting, principals met in one-hour top-to-top one-on-ones to discuss business strategies and opportunities. In addition, there were four roundtable discussions on industry issues, such as attracting youth to the industry and exploring technology changes in the industry.

Dave Prinz, President, GoFast Solutions with Josh Eatherly, Vice President, EDA

In addition to the business meetings, the owners also enjoyed a number of social events, including a dinner event at the Fort Restaurant in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Attendees also enjoyed a dinner and reception at the Denver Aquarium, where EDA presented its 2022 Vendor of the Year Award to JVCKENWOOD.

JVCKENWOOD, Vendor of the Year, revealed at Denver Aquarium

“The annual owners meeting is a great opportunity for us to come together as a community and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing our industry,” said Josh Eatherly, vice president of EDA. “I’m grateful to our members for their continued support, and I’m excited to see what we can accomplish together in the year ahead.”

Roundtable discussions

“The roundtable discussions were very informative and helpful,” said Jim Warren, executive vice president of EDA. “It was great to hear from other industry leaders about their experiences, recommendations and perspectives.”

“2022 was a challenging year,” said Aron Demers, EVP VOXX International. “This year’s owners meeting was a phenomenal opportunity to strategize face to face. We are committed to providing EDA and its members with the best possible products and services.”

Visit elitedistributoralliance.com for more.

Alps Alpine Welcomes Gregg Thomas as the Director of National Sales

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AUBURN HILLS, MI (06.21.23) – Alps Alpine North America, Inc. welcomes Gregg Thomas as the Director of National Sales for the Alpine Brand Aftermarket Division.

“We are excited to welcome Gregg to the Alpine Brand team,” said Mike Anderson, Executive Director of the Alpine Brand Aftermarket Division at Alps Alpine North America. “Gregg’s reputation for excellence in our industry precedes him and we look forward to the ways he’ll positively impact our business, our dedicated retail partners, and our customers.”

With a long, illustrious career in the aftermarket car audio industry, Thomas brings a wealth of industry knowledge and expertise as well as a proven history of leading companies to growth and success.

“I am thrilled to join Alpine, a premier car audio brand that has always been held in high esteem in the aftermarket retail marketplace,” said Thomas. “I sold my first high-end Alpine system years ago (let’s just say it was the world’s first aftermarket car CD player). As an industry leader for decades, I am excited to join a team of exceptional professionals that have made Alpine what it is today.”

Holding senior-level positions at several high-profile retailers across the United States, such as Car Toys, Ultimate Electronics, and Magnolia Hi-Fi, as well as a stint at SiriusXM, Thomas’ depth of car audio knowledge will provide value to the Alpine salesforce and his professionalism to the Alps Alpine company culture.

Thomas will oversee all national sales activities for the Alpine Brand at Alps Alpine North America.

Visit alpsalpine.com for more.

JVC Debuts New Waterproof Receiver in Golf Cart at KnowledgeFest Indy

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LONG BEACH, CA (06.21.23) – JVC Mobile Entertainment is thrilled to announce the availability of its KD-MR305BTS Marine/Motorsports Gauge-Style Waterproof Receiver. Designed to deliver exceptional audio performance even in challenging outdoor environments, this cutting-edge receiver is now shipping to authorized dealers nationwide.

The KD-MR305BTS takes marine and motorsports audio to new heights with its rugged construction and
advanced features. Built to withstand the harshest conditions, this waterproof receiver ensures optimal functionality on boats, UTVs, ATVs, Golf Carts, and more. Boasting an eye-catching and installation-
friendly gauge-style design, it seamlessly integrates into the dashboard or panel of any compatible vehicle, adding a touch of style and elegance.

Feature-packed, the KD-MR305BTS includes Bluetooth® Streaming Music for wireless audio playback,
Variable Color Illumination buttons for customizable aesthetics, and a Switchable Back-Lit Display for
enhanced visibility. With a 13-Band Equalizer and advanced DSP settings, audio can be fine-tuned to a
user’s preferences. For even more entertainment and safety options, it’s compatible with SiriusXM®
Satellite Radio (requires an optional tuner, sold separately) and has a convenient Rear-View Camera
input. The KD-MR305BTS also offers 3 sets of RCA Pre-outs, allowing easy audio system expansion. Its
user-friendly front panel features subwoofer level control buttons and a glove-friendly volume knob.
Additionally, the Weather Band Tuner enables weather information to be received, even in remote or
rural areas with limited communication options.

To showcase the incredible capabilities and design of the KD-MR305BTS, JVC has partnered with Audio
Electronics (audioelectronicsindy.com), a renowned 12-volt retail and installation specialist store based
in Indianapolis, to outfit a golf cart with a complete JVC motorsports audio system. Visitors attending
the upcoming KnowledgeFest event will have the opportunity to experience the KD-MR305BTS in action,
as it will be proudly displayed in the golf cart at the JVC booth.

“We are excited to introduce the KD-MR305BTS Marine/Motorsports Gauge-Style Waterproof
Receiver,” said Ron Trout, Director of Sales at JVC. “With its exceptional durability, sleek style, and
advanced audio features, we are confident that this receiver will provide the solution that customers are
looking for. We invite everyone to visit our booth at KnowledgeFest to witness the impressive
performance of the KD-MR305BTS.”

JVC also D.A.R.E.’s you to compare its product offerings by attending one of its training sessions,
scheduled for Friday, June 23rd at 1:45 PM and Saturday, June 24th, at 5:30 PM.

The KD-MR305BTS Marine/Motorsports Gauge-Style Waterproof Receiver is now available for purchase
at authorized JVC dealers. To learn more about the KD-MR305B, visit:
us.jvc.com/car/marinemotorsports/kd_mr305bts

To learn more about JVC’s extensive range of car, marine, and motorsports products, visit
jvc.com/usa/car-entertainment

JVCKENWOOD Named Vendor of the Year by Elite Distributor Alliance

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DENVER, CO (06.20.23) – The Elite Distributor Alliance (EDA) was delighted to award JVCKENWOOD the prestigious honor of Vendor of the Year. The award was presented at the EDA’s annual meeting, which was held at the Grand Hyatt in downtown Denver.

The Elite Distributor Alliance is a prominent association comprising top-tier distributors and manufacturers in the consumer electronics industry. This annual award recognizes the manufacturer that demonstrates outstanding performance, exceptional product quality, and a strong dedication to supporting distributor success.

L to R: Ron Trout, Steve Cote, Jim Warren, Dave Hoag, John Lucas, and Josh Eatherly

Jim Warren, Executive Vice President of the Elite Distributor Alliance, said, “JVCKENWOOD is a deserving recipient of the Vendor of the Year award. They have consistently demonstrated their commitment to providing their distributors with the support they need to be successful.

JVCKENWOOD’s commitment to excellence and continuous innovation has propelled the company to the forefront of the industry. With a diverse portfolio of cutting-edge audio, convenience, and safety solutions, JVCKENWOOD has consistently exceeded customer expectations and delivered exceptional value to its distribution partners.

“We are truly honored to receive this award, especially considering the excellence exhibited by all the EDA vendor partners that work tirelessly to build momentum within the group,” said Dave Hoag, Executive VP of JVCKENWOOD USA. “This recognition is a testament to our unwavering commitment to innovation, quality, and exceptional customer experiences. We extend our sincere gratitude to the Elite Distributor Alliance for their trust and recognition, and especially to our dedicated team and distribution partners for their continuous support.”

JVCKENWOOD remains dedicated to pushing boundaries, delivering superior products, and strengthening its partnerships with distributors. This Vendor of the Year award serves as a testament to JVCKENWOOD’s ongoing pursuit of excellence in the consumer electronics industry.

Visit us.jvckenwood.com and elitedistributoralliance.com for more.

Award-Winning Retail Shop Mobile Edge Changes Hands

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LEHIGHTON, PA (06.20.23) – Mobile Edge, the award-winning retail car audio and accessory store in Lehighton, PA, founded by Mitchell Schaffer, has a new owner. As of noon on June 6, 2023, Ben Tuckett, skilled installation manager and window tint specialist, has taken the wheel.

“Taking ownership of Mobile Edge is a dream come true for me,” said Tuckett. “I’ve always been passionate about car audio in general and providing exceptional service to our Mobile Edge customers in particular. This opportunity allows me to take that passion to new heights. Mobile Edge has a long-standing reputation for quality and customer satisfaction. I’m honored to carry on that legacy and build upon it, ensuring that our customers continue to receive the best products and service in the industry.”

“I’m thrilled to pass the torch to Ben, who’s driven by the same mission of high-quality service as I am,” Schaffer said. “Ben’s commitment to excellence is unbeatable, with a perfect attendance record and outstanding attention to detail in the install bay.”

The business began in 1994 as Schaffer’s Safe & Sound with the goal of providing topnotch products, installations and customer service. Over time, both the name — Mobile Edge — and the business evolved to serve the changing interests of customers and expanding technological advances in the field. In the process, Mobile Edge has received several industry honors, including Retailer of the Year.

Warranties and gift cards remain in place, and there are no immediate plans to change the product lines or policies that have served Mobile Edge customers well for almost three decades.

Hailing from Andreas, PA, Tuckett loves hiking, kayaking and everything outdoors. His car audio passion ignited in high school, and after exploring other industries, he found his true calling at Mobile Edge in 2017. He has become the proud owner at only 31 and after six years with the company. “Ben is young and energetic, and will bring an invigorating spark of passion and innovation to Mobile Edge,” Schaffer said.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the community I grew up in,” said Tuckett. “Mobile Edge has been my home away from home for years, and I’m excited to take on this new role and contribute to its continued growth and success.”

Schaffer will remain available to steer the new owner through the transition and help him manage the administrative side of the business. “Having the support and guidance of the previous owner during this transition is invaluable,” Tuckett said. “I’m fortunate to have a mentor who has built such a reputable business.”

As he planned to step away from the company, Schaffer offered a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has made Mobile Edge the success it is today. “From past employees and our awesome customers to the many people I’ve called ‘mentor’ throughout the years, building Mobile Edge was one of the hardest and most rewarding things I’ve ever done — and I wouldn’t change a thing,” he said.

With Mobile Edge in trusted new hands, Schaffer will focus on expanding his other business, 1sixty8 media, which provides websites, social media, and other business-building services to retailers and vendors around the U.S. and Canada along with publishing BestCarAudio.com. “I look forward to spending more time and effort on 1sixty8 media, which keeps me anchored in the car audio business that I’ve loved for the past 30-plus years,” he said.

“Swing by the store and give Ben a warm welcome to his new role — and maybe buy something!” said Schaffer. “Cheers to a fantastic new chapter for Mobile Edge.”

Tuckett and Mobile Edge can be reached by phone at 610-377-2730 or email at ben@mobileedgeonline.com.

Tint World Greensboro Renovates, Relaunches Under New Ownership

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GREENSBORO, NC (06.20.23) – Building on their success in North Carolina, Tint World Automotive Styling Centers, a leading window tinting and automotive accessory franchise, announces an ownership change and refresh to the company’s Greensboro location.

Tint World Greensboro is the second Tint World location in North Carolina owned by Shawn McMaster, Jaysen McMaster Foreman, and Candi Krueger. They continue to provide premium automotive aftermarket styling services for auto enthusiasts and residents throughout the Greensboro area and welcome a new general manager, Chris Bivens, to operate the location. Bivens is the Guinness World Record holder for most vehicles tinted in eight hours, and he has over 15 years of experience in the industry, including 10 years managing tinting businesses.

“Candi, Jaysen and I recently opened the Fayetteville location, and we’re thrilled to be at the helm in Greensboro as well,” said Shawn McMaster. “We knew that Chris’s proven skills and experience in tinting would be a perfect match for Tint World’s world-class offerings, and with him serving as general manager, we’re confident that Tint World Greensboro will surpass the expectations of our customers.”

Tint World Greensboro also offers a refreshed 12-volt product line, including audio, visual, navigation, alarms and more, and has recruited new specialized talent to enhance service and installation offerings for this line.

“Shawn, Jaysen and Candi are great examples of our proven franchise system empowering growth through multi-unit ownership,” said Charles J. Bonfiglio, president and CEO of Tint World. “They’re already finding success in Fayetteville, and through trusting in our reliable processes, they are taking Greensboro to the next level as well. I can speak for the entire Tint World leadership team when I say that we expect to hear about first-class service in Greensboro and can’t wait to see what the future holds for these committed, driven owners.”

Tint World Greensboro, located at 4407 Landover Road, Greensboro, North Carolina 27407, serves Greensboro, High Point, Burlington, Mebane, Summerfield, Winston-Salem, Jamestown, Oak Ridge, Archdale, Kernersville, and Gibsonville. To book an appointment, request a quote, or find out more about the store and its products and services, call (336) 899-8395 or visit tintworld.com/locations/nc/greensboro-029