Accele Electronics Introduces Driving Innovation for Northern Neighbors

Posted on July 13, 2020 by 12VoltNews in Industry and tagged Accele.

SANTA FE SPRINGS, CA (07.14.2020) – Accele Electronics has launched their new web site www.accele.ca to focus on and address the needs of Accele Electronics customers in Canada. This new website serves as a portal to “Driving Innovation,” Accele’s portfolio of brands and its vast array of solutions for everyday applications. Accele Electronics has been designing, manufacturing and delivering quality products for over 30 years with a focus on the Automotive Aftermarket.

Christian Way, Vice President, Accele Electronics highlights the new www.accele.ca website in the company’s conference room in Santa Fe Springs CA. The website focuses on the needs of Accele Electronics customers in Canada with distributor partners Importel Ltd in Toronto and B&B Distribution in Edmonton, AB.

“Our primary goal was to create a local connection for existing and potential customers and our strategic business partners in Canada, B&B Distribution in Edmonton, AB and Importel Ltd in Toronto, ON. Visitors to this portal will find a home page, similar to our main web site, devoid of clutter and containing an easy to use interface,” said Christian Way, Vice President, Accele Electronics.

Alex MacNeil checks out the new www.accele.ca website in his office at Importel Ltd in Toronto. MacNeil is the Marketing & Web Specialist for the proactive 12volt distributor.

“The site is easy to navigate with an attractive and easy to use menu interface, allowing end users to select the appropriate solution. Today, more than ever, an intelligently and intuitively designed web presence is a top priority. Similar to a well-designed vehicle Infotainment system, our goal for the website is to provide a clear and concise format that assists our Canadian customers when making buying decisions and furthermore provides support for the products they eventually purchase. We’ve accomplished that goal by providing a portal to our Canadian Distributors and business partners, B&B Distribution and Importel Ltd. In the near future, B&B and Importel will be able to provide their customers password protected access to the site for additional functionality,” added Christian Way.

“Canada has become a vital market for Accele Electronics and our associated brands, this new website demonstrates our long-term commitment to grow and support our partners and end users within Canada. This new website contains Images and descriptions of the products offered by Accele Electronics and enables customers to have easy access to the information necessary when selecting products or planning installation of products. It also contains contact information and links to access sales and technical support from Accele and our partners,” added Christian Way, Vice President, Accele Electronics. Additional features to be rolled out include access to installation and product demonstration Videos.

Visit www.accele.ca for more.

SiriusXM to Acquire Stitcher

Posted on July 13, 2020 by 12VoltNews in Industry.

NEW YORK, NY (07.14.2020) – SiriusXM has entered an agreement with The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) to acquire Stitcher, a pioneer in podcast production, distribution, and ad sales. The transaction will advance and deepen SiriusXM’s position in podcasting, the fastest-growing sector in the audio entertainment ecosystem.

With the acquisition, SiriusXM’s combined properties will contain the largest addressable audience in the U.S. across all categories of digital audio – music, sports, talk, and podcasts. The transaction will also further extend the substantial reach of SiriusXM in the digital audio ad marketplace. The SiriusXM and Pandora owned-and-operated digital platforms, combined with the company’s exclusive ad sales arrangement with SoundCloud for the U.S., and the Stitcher and Midroll networks that are subject to the agreement, will reach over 150 million listeners. Upon completion of the transaction, SiriusXM will be better positioned to advance the podcast ad market and help solve some of its critical challenges through precision targeting, ad efficiency, and improved measurement capabilities via a streamlined ad marketplace.

“The addition of Stitcher is an important next step as we continue to develop and strengthen our offering in the fast-growing podcasting market,” said Jim Meyer, Chief Executive Officer of SiriusXM. “With Stitcher, we will expand our digital audio advertising presence and look to generate new ways for creators to find and connect with their audiences. Stitcher has a talented team with deep experience in the podcast space, and we look forward to working with them to better meet the needs of creators, advertisers, and listeners.”

Stitcher creates original podcasts, operates multiple content networks that each target a specific genre and audience, and provides podcast ad agency services for leading shows. Through its Midroll Media advertising network, Stitcher acts as a sales and marketing representative to connect advertisers and podcasts based on the advertiser’s desired target audience. Stitcher also owns and operates a popular mobile app listening platform where consumers can stream the latest podcasts ranging from news, sports, talk, and entertainment shows on-demand and free of charge. Users can pay for Stitcher’s monthly or annual Premium subscription, which gives them access to premium content including exclusive, ad-free, and bonus podcast episodes, along with 300+ comedy albums.

Top Stitcher podcasts include Freakonomics Radio, My Favorite Murder, How Did This Get Made?, SuperSoul Sunday from The Oprah Winfrey Network, Office Ladies, Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, Literally! with Rob Lowe, LeVar Burton Reads, Comedy Bang! Bang!, and WTF with Marc Maron.

Upon closing of the transaction, SiriusXM will be the premier full-service platform for podcast creators, publishers, and advertisers – combining the largest digital audio salesforce with a leading podcast ad network. Coming on the heels of SiriusXM’s recent acquisition of podcast management and analytics platform Simplecast, the addition of Stitcher, alongside industry-leading ad tech and monetization platform AdsWizz, will expand the company’s existing suite of podcast hosting, analytics, insights, and marketplace offerings. Additionally, creators will benefit from the transaction through enhanced production, marketing, and promotion capabilities to drive further listening, engagement, and monetization.

Visit siriusxm.com and stitcher.com for more.

Nakamichi Ships New Tube Amplifiers

Posted on July 12, 2020 by 12VoltNews in Industry and tagged Nakamichi.

MIAMI, FL (07.13.2020) – Nakamichi USA announced it is shipping two models of tube-driven, multi-channel car audio amplifiers to the North American market. The N60t and N40t comprise the brand’s premium amplifier line and feature the legendary sound-enhancing characteristics of tube valve technology.

First introduced in 1906, tube amplifiers gained prominence in the early to mid-1900s due to their simplicity of design and scalability for different applications. In the 1960s they took their storied place in the audio industry, becoming known for their tone and perceived “warmth” of sound. Their use declined in the 70s with the emergence of the smaller, less-power-hungry transistor, but tube amplifiers remain a niche favorite today among audiophiles, professional musicians and recording studios.

The six-channel, Class AB N60t offers 100 watts RMS from each of its six channels at four ohms. The channel pairs can be bridged to produce 300 watts through three channels or can be loaded to output 150 watts through six channels at two ohms. Inputs accommodate four channels of high-level speaker outputs from the radio or up six channels at line level. The four-channel N40t adds 50 watts per channel at four ohms (150Wx4 RMS) and 75 watts per channel at two ohms (225Wx2 RMS). It can be bridged and loaded to one ohm, producing 450 watts from each of two channels.

Both models utilize one 12AX7 vacuum tube per set of inputs in the preamplifier section. Designed in 1946, the 12AX7 is still used in guitar amplifiers to enrich and “fatten” their tone. The amplifier casings feature a transparent cover to showcase the tubes and internal components, and each kit includes all mounting accessories plus a pair of gloves to safely handle the tubes.

“Since 1948 the Nakamichi brand has been synonymous with no-compromise audio reproduction, and this is a characteristic we’ve sought to emphasize in the car audio segment,” said Robin McNeal, national sales manager for Nakamichi USA Car Audio. “The N40t and N60t feature the power to be the centerpiece of a custom high-end audio system, and the flexibility to integrate into factory installed, premium audio systems. We designed them to cater to drivers who want to bring the musicality and tone of their tube-driven home audio experiences with them on the road.”

MSRPs are $1,799.95 for the N60t and $1,599.99 for the N40t. For more information on the amplifiers, visit nakamichicaraudio.com. To place an order or become a Nakamichi dealer or territorial representative, contact Robin McNeal at (702) 558-4447.

The 12volt STP Tool Snap.Txt.Presto

Posted on July 12, 2020 by 12VoltNews in Industry.

THE 12VOLT CENTRAL STUDIOS (07.13.2020) – The 12volt STP tool was created to provide a vehicle for industry members to MAX the visibility their activities. In light of the current COVID-19 Pandemic positive industry news and visibility is more important than ever across the marketplace.

Click image to view on instagram.com/12voltnews

A manufacturer representative, or vendor staff member, could MAX their time on the road by Snapping and Txt’ing an image to the 12volt Central Studios. Presto… that image could be fashioned as a post to let a rep’s dealers know an area distributor is doing well with one of their lines. That post could highlight a dealer with a great in-store display that could give other dealers an idea to drive more business.

Another possibility for the 12volt STP Tool could be a company HQ tour. We can work with a company’s HQ staff member to develop a list of images including HQ exterior, entry way, conference room, training area, testing facility, warehouse and shipping area. Utilizing new technology in this way touches a lot of bases. A dealer in Oregon could tour the DS18 facility in south Florida.

A resent post, utilizing images supplied by Keith Selby-Cardinal Sales, showcased the great looking Audio Source store in Columbus IN. Selby was traveling with Kenwood Regional Dave Hill in the territory. An additional benefit was highlighting the Kenwood flash drive Selby handed to Matt Murray loaded with Kenwood training videos and information.

The images shown below, of the super Audio Source store in Columbus IN, were supplied by Keith Selby-Cardinal Sales.

Believe me, I do have an understanding of today’s marketplace. The good news is 12volt retailers and distributors for the most part had a record second quarter. The business year is like a football game with 4 quarters. The 12volt industry, as a whole, is ahead at halftime in 2020.

Now for the second half of the 2020 game that is challenged by so many variables storm clouds if you will. That high volume of first half 2020 business, fueled in a major way by government stimulus checks, is already putting a strain on the vendor supply. The national news reports the COVID-19 Pandemic continues to create major disruptions across the U.S. economy. Manufacturer representatives, and factory staff members, in many cases are still unable to travel as usual. Unemployment is still high and consumers spent their stimulus money in the first half.

The 12volt industry is already well into the month of July. Let’s play smart in the second half with a solid game plan….and keep our eye on the ball.

On this end we will continue to showcase positives across the 12volt industry… across the U.S. and beyond.

Visit instagram.com/12voltnews to see these posts and more.

Chinese Court Sides with Oracle Lighting in Case Against Counterfeit Producers in China

Posted on July 9, 2020 by 12VoltNews in Industry and tagged Oracle Lighting.

METAIRE, LA (07.10.2020) – Oracle Lighting has announced that it has successfully defended its intellectual property rights by recently winning its legal battle against a Chinese-based manufacturer of imitation products.

“Shortly after we unveiled our Vector LED Grill System at a trade show in 2017, Chinese knockoffs began appearing,” explained Justin Hartenstein, Director of Product Development at Oracle Lighting. “After nearly a year of work designing and developing this product, it was honestly heartbreaking to find knockoff products pop up online. I had seen this happen before to other manufacturers in our industry and decided that we were not going to stand for this blatant design theft. We worked with our IP attorney, Jeffrey Banyas of Edwin A. Sisson, Attorney at Law, LLC, to develop and execute a strategy to take action against the overseas knockoff producers. I knew it would not be easy but I had no idea where this journey would take us.”

The decision was issued on June 28, 2020 by the Intellectual Property Division of the Suzhou Intermediate People’s Court (Case No. [2019] Suzhou 05 Intellectual Property First Instance No.580). The court found that the defendant’s products fall into the scope of protection of Oracle Lighting’s Chinese Design Patent Registration No. ZL201830136860.7, and thus infringes the patent.

The court’s decision includes an order for the defendant to immediately cease infringing upon Oracle Lighting’s patent. The court also ordered the defendant pay significant monetary damages to Oracle Lighting and ordered that the defendant pay certain court costs associated with the litigation. In doing so, the court also rejected the defendant’s arguments that they had come up with the design for this particular grill prior to Oracle Lighting filing its design patent application.

“In order for us to file litigation against the infringing company, the Chinese court explained that we had to first complete a ‘notarized purchase’, which basically translates to us having to conduct our own sting operation,” Hartenstein continued. “Our attorney assisted us in hiring private investigators overseas who, after months of investigation, used a cover story to gain access to the factory and, with hidden cameras, obtained evidence of the counterfeit parts. The entire operation had to be covert because these factories producing knockoff goods are often designed to be packed up and moved overnight, making them hard to pin down. Once our legal team in China presented this evidence to the judge, the court issued a demand to the factory to shut down production and the nearly two-year-long litigation process began. This was a massive undertaking for our company but I pursued this in the hope that it provides insight for other small businesses trying to protect their intellectual property rights overseas. It was not easy but these results demonstrate that even overseas counterfeiters can be held accountable. Oracle Lighting takes our intellectual property rights very seriously and we are willing to do whatever it takes to prevent the blatant theft of our patented designs.”

Banyas explained that Oracle Lighting asked his firm to develop and implement a plan to protect its products against overseas knockoffs and counterfeits. “This was no easy task as those who deal in illegal products often take extensive measures to insulate themselves from liability and accountability,” he explained. “Through our firms’ extensive network of private investigators and international law firms, we identified the factory making the knockoff products and obtained all of the evidence we needed to enforce Oracle Lighting’s Intellectual Property Rights. We thank the Suzhou Intermediate People’s Court for giving us a fair day in court and we hope that this decision serves as a strong example to other American companies that they can enforce their Intellectual Property Rights in China, and they do not simply have to accept lost market share to Chinese knockoffs and counterfeit products as an inevitable cost of doing business. I applaud the folks at Oracle Lighting for bucking that trend, and I am proud to have spearheaded the efforts that lead to these successful results.”

Designed for use on the Jeep Wrangler, Oracle Lighting’s innovative Vector Grill has earned the company awards from the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), including a 2018 Global Media Award and a runner-up award for the SEMA Best New Exterior Accessory Product of 2019.

The Court’s decision is still subject to an appeal to the Jiangsu Higher Court.

Having celebrated its 20-year anniversary in 2019, Louisiana -based Oracle Lighting has been designing innovative lighting products for the automotive/12Volt, powersports, motorcycle, and marine markets since 1999. Oracle’s philosophy is this: in today’s world of fly-by-night vendors, we think it is important to partner with businesses that you can trust to be there for you today, tomorrow, and for years to come.

For more information on Oracle Lighting and its full product line, visit www.oraclelights.com, call (800) 407-5776, or email info@oraclelights.com.

AAPEX 2020 Event Update

Posted on July 9, 2020 by 12VoltNews in Industry and tagged AAPEX.

LAS VEGAS, NV (07.10.2020) – View the following announcement regarding AAPEX 2020:

At this time, we plan to proceed with AAPEX 2020 as scheduled, November 3-5.

We continue to pay close attention to the evolving COVID-19 situation and its potential impact on the show. Our primary concern is providing a trade show in a safe and healthy environment. We will stay in touch in the coming weeks and months regarding any new developments.

Watch: Health and Safety Updates for AAPEX 2020

Watch: A Message from AAPEX

Exhibitors

Watch: AAPEX Exhibitor Town Hall

Exhibitors will be able to cancel and receive a full 100% refund on their booth space until September 1. Booth space applications are still being accepted. Reserve your booth today.

Important Dates:

July 15 – Priority Booth Selection Process Deadline
November 3-5 – AAPEX

These changes will allow you to invest in AAPEX with confidence. Please reach out to Bill Glasgow Jr. at billjr@aapexshow.com with any questions.

Resources

Visit AASA’s and Auto Care Association’s COVID-19 aftermarket business resource pages for additional information, access to webinars, safety tips, market insights, and more.

Visit our onsite health and safety page to see how we’re preparing for November.

Design Engineering Releases New Sprint Car Thermal Engine Cover

Posted on July 8, 2020 by 12VoltNews in Industry and tagged Design Engineering.

AVON LAKE, OH (07.09.2020) –Keep your Sprint car looking good in the pits and help prevent cool-down between races with the new Sprint Car Thermal Engine Cover from Design Engineering, Inc.

The Sprint Car Thermal Engine Cover allows racers to avoid cold engine damage by keeping their sprint car engines up to racing temperatures. Easy to install and built to last, the innovative cover features a triple-layer construction and can be used on hot or even running engines without damage.

“DEI’s Sprint Car Thermal Engine Cover is designed to prevent engine cool-down between races,” said Mike Buca of DEI. “Built Ohio-tough to last many race seasons and still look great, it’s easy to install and fits all Sprint cars.”

The thermal cover’s unique design includes drop-down-side wings that can be folded up and snapped into place and can rest directly on hot exhaust pipes. The heavy-duty, triple-layer construction incorporates a durable, PVC-coated polyester black outer layer that will last for years, a glass fiber inner insulation, and a final layer of glass blanket fiber.

Final touches from DEI include high-strength fiberglass edge binding, use of heat-and flame-resistant Nomex fiber thread, and built-in stainless steel snaps.

Learn more about DEI’s Sprint Car Thermal Engine Cover and the company’s entire line of race-inspired heat-and sound-control products at designengineering.com.

Cadence Summer Giveaway in June

Posted on July 8, 2020 by 12VoltNews in Industry and tagged Cadence Sound.

INDUSTRY, CA (07.09.2020) – Cadence Sound loves to stay connected with the audio community. They understand that due to Covid-19, some customers have been affected financially. They decided to do a monthly giveaway all summer so that Cadence aficionados can still enjoy their passions without worry.

The June Giveaway winner is Salvador, in Los Angeles, CA. Salvador won a Cadence Beast Subwoofer. Cadence is excited to see what kind of project Salvador uses his new Cadence BT for. Check him out wearing his Cadence Lanyard to work!

To enter the raffle for Cadence’s next giveaway, make sure to be following them on Social Media so you can see the next post.

Visit CadenceSound.com for more.

Epsilon Electronics Hires New Western Regional

Posted on July 7, 2020 by 12VoltNews in Industry and tagged Epsilon.

MONTEBELLO, CA (07.08.2020) – Epsilon has announced the addition of Ceasar Olaes to their continually growing family. Starting immediately, Ceasar will take his role in working with Western sales representatives and direct accounts, introducing himself and sharing new focus for Precision Power, Soundstream, and Power Acoustik.

Ceasar Olaes has joined Epsilon Electronics as Western Regional. Olaes proudly shows off the Power Acoustik, SoundStream, and PrecisionPower brands on his new Epsilon shirt.

Ceasar has a solid mobile electronics background with more than 30 years of experience in the industry, including serving recently as a sales manager for popular manufactures.

Olaes commented, “As Western Regional Sales Manager for Epsilon Electronics, I look forward to partnering with Vice President Ronnie Brashear and the rest of the Epsilon team as we continue to provide our customers with brilliant products with outstanding and professional service. I’m honored to take part in such a reputable company.”

Ceasar is looking forward to meeting dealers and conveying his experience to Epsilon’s upcoming first time exhibiting KnowledgeFest shows.

Visit www.epsilonelectronicsinc.com for more.

AudioControl Set to Highlight EPICENTER Products in Thursday’s Webinar

Posted on July 7, 2020 by 12VoltNews in Industry and tagged AudioControl.

SEATTLE, WA (07.08.2020) – This week’s AudioControl training will focus on the EPICENTER family of products- some of the most successful mobile audio processors of all time.

Tune in Thursday, July 9 at 11:00 am PST to learn more about The EPICENTER family of products, what they do and how they do it.

“I used to have an EPICENTER in my system years ago, do I really still need one with today’s music?” If you like bass, then yes, you really do. Join AudioControl this Thursday to learn more.