Industry

Morel HIFI Chooses Celsus as Partner for UK Market

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POOLE, UK (02.27.23) – Celsus UK are delighted to announce their appointment as the Morel distributor for the Israel based company’s car audio product line in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Morel design, engineer and manufacturer market-leading handcrafted loudspeaker products from their headquarters in Ness Ziona, south of Tel-Aviv in Israel. Their product’s quality and performance are revered in the 12volt industry and are the equipment of choice for any celebrities and musicians.

Celsus will give Morel a greater presence in the UK market through their experienced network of in-car specialist installers, vehicle upgraders and boat builder partners.

“We are extremely excited to represent Morel, we have long admired the company’s products. Business is all about people, with Morel we believe we have a partner that will help us deliver amazing products to our customers and have real enjoyment along the way. The brand’s sound is exceptional and we cannot wait to grow together.” Said Paul Baker, Celsus UK Managing Director

The award winning Virtus Nano Carbon slim line speakers and flagship Supremo line stand out in the portfolio, alongside the most recent addition of the Integration direct-fit audio for BMW putting the brand at the pinnacle of this category. With an extensive product development roadmap, the future for lovers of music and audiophile-grade equipment is bright.

Nir Paz, Morel Hifi Sales Director adds “Celsus is a perfect fit for Morel and we are very privileged to have them join our family. They are some of the most genuine people I have met in the industry, and their excellent track record developing some of the best brands in the UK and Europe is a testament to their ability to forge meaningful relationships with dealers.

Producing some of the most innovative and best sounding speakers in the world is not enough if you can’t build a solid support system… and that is a Celsus specialty! We have done wonderful things in the UK market in recent years and I am confident that with Celsus amazing team we will take Morel to the next level. “

Inventory will be available late March in Celsus’ Poole based warehouse facility and in the specialist retailer network shortly after. Contact Celsus for details of your closest retailer to arrange a demonstration.

For more info, visit celsusice.co.uk/brands/morel and morelhifi.com

The 12Volt 6-Pack Delivers Fresh Industry News to Members of the 12Volt Industry

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SHREVEPORT, LA (02.27.23) – It’s the 12volt Central Studios 12volt 6-Pack. As the 12volt Central Studios works to deliver fresh industry news each day of the week the 12volt 6-Pack is a way for 12volt industry members to catch up on news from the day as they refresh in evening after a busy.

Utilizing the 12volt STP Tool industry members on the road could highlight their day’s activities in the 12volt 6-Pack.

The 12volt STP Tool was created in 2020 for members of the 12volt industry to txt their news to the 12volt Central Studios. Snap and Txt an image to 318 465 0844. PRESTO… your positive news could be delivered to members of the 12volt industry. On Instagram and Facebook @12voltnews there are over 10,000 followers on each platform. Those followers are dedicated members of the 12volt industry.

Check out this 12Volt 6-Pack. Action from The KICKER Arenacross in Hobbs NM, Team Nutz in Pittsburg, Synergy Marketing and MTX in Houston, RPM and PowerBass on the road in Richmond VA, Kenwood 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel winner in Pasco WA and KICKER at the LoneStar ThrowDown in Conroe TX.

Use the 12voltSTP Tool to showcase your company’s brand and positive activities. Snap an image and Txt to 318 465 0844…PRESTO!

Look forward to seeing you in the 12volt 6-Pack. Visit instagram.com/12voltnews for more.

Celsus Appoints Avant Denmark A/S as Dynamat Distributor for Danish Market

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POOLE, UK (02.24.23) – Celsus UK, European distributor for Dynamat noise and heat control materials, have chosen Avant Denmark A/S as representation in the Danish market.

The appointment will greatly strengthen Dynamat’s presence in the Danish market ensuring that consumers can benefit from the world’s best performing in-vehicle sound proofing and heat insulation materials. Dynamat is world renowned as setting the standard for damping materials in vehicles and the chosen products are high profile car restorers and car audio enthusiast alike.

Pictured L-R: Thomas Schaarup – Purchaser, Avant A/S, Mike Keenan – European Sales Manager, Celsus UK, Lasse Thorbøll Juhl – Purchasing Manager, Avant A/S

“We are very happy to welcome Mads and his team at Avant to the Dynamat family. Their passion for their work, knowledge of the market and their impressive operation gives me confidence we will achieve great things as our relationship develops in the coming years,” said Mike Keenan, European Sales Manager for Celsus UK.

With over 30 years of successful installations Dynamat® Xtreme® is the perfectly balanced automotive sound damping material. These five key features– adhesion, thickness, effectiveness, ease of installation and American made – are designed to work together to create the perfectly balanced sound damping material which leads the way in performance.

Mads Lund Jakobsen, Customer & concept manager for Avant Denmark A/S added, “It is with great pleasure that Avant Denmark A/S adds the Dynamat range of market-leading sound isolation and noise/vibration reduction to our product portfolio. The brand will complement our high-end car hifi products from Alpine, JVC and Sony, strengthening Avant Denmark as the total supplier of high-end car audio solutions. Dynamat will be sold through our varied multi-channel distribution network with a few specially selected brand stores in which the end-consumer can see, hear and feel the quality of the Dynamat products.”

Commenting on the appointment Mike Good, President of Dynamat Inc said, “The Dynamat team and I are very excited to welcome Avant Denmark on board! We very much look forward to a long and successful partnership in the Danish market. At Dynamat we have an unapologetic focus on quality and making your vehicle a better vehicle, and it gives me great pleasure to know that Danish car enthusiasts can experience this through Avant A/S.”

Visit dynamateurope.com and biludstyr.dk and celsusice.co.uk for more.

SEMA: Supply-Chain Insights and The Road to Recovery

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DIAMOND BAR, CA (02.24.23) – The supply-chain issues that impacted the United States over the past few years largely peaked and are starting to recover.

According to the new “2023 SEMA Future Trends – January 2023” report, supply-chain issues are expected to improve in 2023, but it will take time to return to pre-pandemic levels, especially with supplies that affect the automotive sector like semiconductors (or chips).

According to the SEMA study:

The specialty-equipment industry has been affected. More than 90% of companies have been moderately or severely impacted by supply-chain issues. Most expect things to normalize by the end of 2023 or into 2024.
Ports are less congested. Container ports in the United States, like in Los Angeles or Long Beach, are no longer as congested with container ships waiting for berths. As a result, prices have returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Trucking is improving nationwide. Demand for cross-country hauling by truckers has eased and the number of trucks available to ship things has increased. Prices have also dropped from their record highs.
Semiconductor, or chip, shortages continue. Shortages, most notably for the automotive sector, continue to linger. Average lead delivery times for chips decreased but remain high, at approximately 25.5 weeks as of October 2022.

For an in-depth analysis on how port congestion has eased, projections for supply-chain improvement by manufacturer / distributor / retailer, and prices for shipping by truck, download the “SEMA Future Trends – January 2023” for free at www.sema.org/research.

The RPM Team Traveled to the AIMEXPO in Las Vegas

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LAS VEGAS, NV (02.24.23) – “The AIMEXPO was the best one I have attended. The Powersports industry used to have a huge show in Indianapolis that went away years ago. AIMEXPO has moved around from Orlando to Columbus, OH to Las Vegas and I have been to most of them. This was larger and I think they sold out of space in the upper South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Attendance was running double last year” Scott Hochmuth, Real Performance Marketing Principal, related.

The AIMEXPO took place on the upper level of the South Hall at the LVCC.
The new JBL Rally Bar grabbed a lot of attention along with Infinity Kappa products in the booth.

Continuing, “I was there along with our SC/FL rep Joe Stelmack and our Mid-Atlantic rep John Gray. We bounced from booth to booth all through the show running to meet with dealers and learning more about the product lines on the AIMEXPO show floor.”

The AIMEXPO ran from Wednesday to Friday February 7th-9th. The 12volt footprint was about a 50-50 footprint in 12Volt Audio and Powersports along with a nice cross-section in the Powersports and Marine Audio segment. RPM had six lines there including JBL that had booths and met with four more RPM lines that were there but were not showing. Overall a very successful trip.

Apparel is a growing category with motorcycle and Powersports enthusiasts.
E-Bikes is a growing category and RPM is seeing interest in the marketplace.

Concluding, Hochmuth relayed, “Overall it was a very successful trip, We had a helmet line, a clothing line, three e-bike lines, and JBL showing the new Rallybar to Powersports dealers for the first time. None of them have heard a soundbar with that kind of sound quality and low-frequency response. Pre-orders have been brisk. Expected to ship in Q2.”

The JBL booth staff and RPM team capped a busy day at the event with a dinner. (LtoR) Joe Stelmack-RPM, Fred Isensee-JBL, Troy Carter-Vanevery Marketing, John Gray-RPM, Scott Hochmuth-RPM, Jon Kluiter-VMC Pros and Shawn Spedding-JBL.

Scott Hochmuth supplied content for this article.

Visit realperformancemarketing.net for more.

Crux Offers New Interface for Factory Camera Installation in Select Ram and Jeep Vehicles

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RESEDA, CA (02.23.23) – Crux has released a radio replacement with SWC & Digital Camera Retention for select 2018 – up Dodge, Fiat, Jeep & Ram Vehicles. The SWRCR-59LV radio replacement interface retains steering wheel controls and digital camera retention.

Features:
– Retains factory features in select Dodge, Fiat, Jeep and RAM vehicles while functioning with an aftermarket radio.
– Retains Steering Wheel Controls via built-in, pre-programmed interface.
– Provides accessory power (2A Max).
– Retains factory backup camera (composite and LVDS)
– Retains factory Aux input in select vehicles
– Retains factory analog amplifier on select vehicles
– Retains factory SWC phone button functionality in select vehicles.
– EIA color coded wiring for easy installation.

Click for to view product details and vehicle compatibility

Visit cruxinterfacing.com for more.

KENWOOD Conducted an In-Person Product Training at Sound Waves Memphis

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MEMPHIS TN (02.22.23) – MEMPHIS TN (02.22.23) On Monday evening, February 20th, an in-person KENWOOD product training session took place at Sound Waves Memphis. John Irwin, Sound Waves owner, made the arrangements and set up an area in the installation bay. KENWOOD’s Josh Bowen, Product Specialist, conducted the session. Brian Cargile-Progressive SE, traveling with Bowen, also attended the session.

Josh Bowen conducting the KENWOOD training in Memphis at the Sound Waves location. JC Audio, Jackson TN, also attended the session

Team members from JC Audio, Jackson TN, traveled the 88 miles to Memphis and attend the KENWOOD training session. Brian Cargile made the invitation that Jeff Cantrell accepted.

“It was a great to have an in-store training…it had been way to long. Josh Bowen really knows his stuff. Getting an overview of new products from KENWOOD was truly welcomed by our staff of seven people. The new marine and Powersports products really caught our eyes. We have had the motorcycle camera system in stock for some time with not much sales activity. After Josh covered the product and installation process we will definitely see strong sales. The motorcycle season is here. As the customer’s motorcycle is torn down for an audio installation adding the motorcycle camera system is a natural” Irwin related.

Bowen added “The Sound Waves and JC Audio staffs were ready to learn about new offerings from KENWOOD. We focused on new receivers, Marine/Motorsports and motorcycle audio. They were all engaged and asked specific questions that will prepare them to drive sales… KENWOOD sales in particular.

Bowen is an avid motorcycle rider and has a KENWOOD motorcycle camera system on his bike. He revisits the rides on his phone in the evening hours.

The evening included delicious Memphis Buffalo Wings and an opportunity for two proactive area retailer staffs to network about in-store sales activities.

Visit kenwood.com and soundwavesmemphis.com for more.

Northwood University Opens Registration for Aftermarket 101

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MIDLAND, MI (02.22.23) – Registration is now open for Aftermarket 101, a two-day introduction to the automotive aftermarket industry.

“Students who attend this class will develop a firm knowledge of the breadth, depth, and scope of the Automotive Aftermarket including channels of retail, e-commerce and traditional distribution, sales development skills and opportunities, current and future industry trends, a brief introduction to heavy-duty segment, and the opportunities and challenges facing our service dealers,” stated Dr. Thomas Litzinger, executive director of the University of Aftermarket, Northwood University.

The entrance to the Sloan Family Building for Aftermarket Studies at Northwood University.

This year’s Aftermarket 101 programming will cover:

  • An overview of industry basics, channels and terminology, presented by Ted Hughes, Aftermarket Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) executive director.
  • A discussion about major industry players, presented by Roy Kent, executive vice president of business development, member support and strategy for Federated Auto Parts.
  • An introduction to the heavy-duty side of the industry by Tinna Hubbard, president and CEO of HDA Truck Pride.
  • Structures and trends of retail and traditional distribution, presented by AWDA’s Ted Hughes.
  • How to develop a professional sales network, presented by Malcolm Sissmore, Borg Warner’s vice president of sales and marketing for the North American aftermarket.
  • Service dealer challenges and opportunities, presented by Jeff Kruse, former executive vice president and chief evangelist for Belle Tire Distributors Inc.

“This is a fantastic event for new hires in the automotive industry, from manufacturing and warehouse distribution to retail,” Litzinger stated.

The event will be held April 5-6 at Fisher Auto Parts, 24701 Hallwood Court, Farmington Hills, Michigan.

The cost is $1,150 per attendee, and they will earn 1.5 continuing education units (CEUs) toward their Automotive Aftermarket Professional (AAP, MAAP) professional designation.

To register, visit https://admissions.northwood.edu/corporate/uofa

Alpine Welcomes DOW Technologies as an Authorized Dealer Fulfillment Center for the Mid-Atlantic

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AUBURN HILLS, MI (02.21.23) – Alps Alpine North America, Inc. (“Alpine”) welcomes DOW Technologies as a new Authorized Dealer Fulfillment Center in Alpine’s Mid-Atlantic markets (east Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, Delaware, southern Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C.).

As a current fulfilment center in Alpine’s Florida and southeast markets, DOW Technologies will now expand to cover the Mid-Atlantic markets.Alpine will be the primary aftermarket car audio brand in the DOW Technologies warehouse, located in Montgomeryville, PA.

“We’re excited to partner with DOW Technologies as an Authorized Dealer Fulfillment Center for our Mid-Atlantic Alpine Authorized Dealers,” said Mike Anderson, Executive Director at Alps Alpine North America. “We believe DOW Technologies’ location, infrastructure, and service will continue to contribute great success to our dealers’ business.”

Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., DOW Technologies is one of the largest independently owned and operated technology distributors servicing independent retailers in the United States for 64 years. With seven locations serving Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., DOW Technologies focuses on distributing products and technologies that enhance lives at home, at work and on the road.

“DOW Technologies is extremely excited to be the Authorized Dealer Fulfillment Center partner for Alpine in the Mid-Atlantic, and we are focused on continued growth of the brand through the dedicated, loyal Alpine dealer base,” said Dave Elkin, SVP Sales and Product Management, DOW Technologies.

Details of the partnership were communicated directly to Alpine Authorized Dealers in the territory.

Visit alpine-usa.com for more.

In Your Studio…With The 12volt STP Tool From The 12volt Central Studios

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SHREVEPORT, LA (02.21.23) – Creating the 12voltSTP Tool was another example of making it easy for industry members to deliver their company’s brand’s message and activities to the 12volt industry… all from the 12volt Central Studios with just a smartphone.

QPower’s Matt Bund recently took advantage of the In Your Studio opportunity and the results are showcased below. Bund held a product in the company’s Houston facility, had a fellow employee snap and txt an image. Soon a post was live across the 12volt industry on @12voltnews Facebook and Instagram platforms.

The QPower project was taken to the next level as Bund contacted two QPower distributors and asked them to send an image of a QPower product in their warehouse. LESCO in Orange City FL and SSR in Houston sent images and those image posts were featured in new Facebook and Instagram posts @12voltnews.

QPower distributors LESCO (L) and SSR supplied images and received visibility to let their dealers they had new products in stock.

In today’s marketplace delivering fresh positive information is vital…more important than ever. In Your Studio is definitely an avenue for companies to deliver their products to the 12volt industry.

For more email mike@12voltnews.com