DS18 Debuts on Inc. 5000 Ranking

NEW YORK, NY (08.17.22) – Inc. has revealed that DS18 is No. 2001 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America. The list represents a one-of-a-kind look at the most successful companies within the economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent businesses. Facebook, Chobani, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

“On a particular day I remember that my father came up to me with such security and confidence and said: ‘You will see! One day we are going to be a national brand.’ I think back to this day often as it grounds me when I see what our goals were to what we have achieved. Today, we are not just a national brand, but an international brand that sells a vast array of Audio and Electronics products to more than 40 different countries. I am humbled and grateful for all the opportunities that have come and continue to come our way. The sky’s the limit! Let’s go for more!” stated Sasha Susterman, General Manager/Biz. Development of DS18.

The companies on the 2022 Inc. 5000 have not only been successful, but have also demonstrated resilience amid supply chain woes, labor shortages, and the ongoing impact of Covid-19. Among the top 500, the average median three-year revenue growth rate soared to 2,144 percent. Together, those companies added more than 68,394 jobs over the past three years.

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000. The top 500 companies are featured in the September issue of Inc. magazine, which will be available on August 23.

“The accomplishment of building one of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S., in light of recent economic roadblocks, cannot be overstated,” commented Scott Omelianuk, editor-in-chief of Inc. “Inc. is thrilled to honor the companies that have established themselves through innovation, hard work, and rising to the challenges of today.”

“I am beyond proud of the journey we have traveled together as a company, that has become a family. Our team works day in and day out as a unit, all striving for the same purpose. We are a STRONG unit because our teamwork allows us to set a target and achieve it, no matter what obstacles and uncertainties we face. I am very excited about the projection and new goals we have set forth for DS18. The recognition from the prestigious INC. 5000 list undoubtedly motivates us and gives us an extra boost to continue improving and growing,” stated Sasha Susterman, General Manager/Biz. Development of DS18.

DS18 started as a small team of 3 employees, cold calling to sell its new unknown product line. Constantly looking to improve, by listening to consumer feedback and looking ahead to the future for new and different designs and technology, DS18 has now grown to more than 70 employees and a product line of over 1,000 Unique SKUs that fly off the shelves in over 40 different countries. We strive to bring in team members with a vast array of talents to showcase our products in creative ways that shake the industry to its core. Always thinking ahead, DS18 saw a need for Jeep and Off-road products and is now the go-to brand in that category. DS18 has proven to be a major force and it is recognized as a large part of why the Car audio industry is thriving once again.

Visit DS18.com and inc.com for more.

The Atlantic City Truck Meet and DS18 Packed Bader Field

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (08.05.22) – Attendance at the 2-Day, July 30th and 31st, Atlantic City Truck Meet was a reported 20,000+. Over 2000 trucks and 300+ booth vehicles filled the grounds.

DS18 was right in the middle of the action with a booth that included multiple DS18 demo vehicles and tents plus the 40’ rolling DS18 showroom. Overall, the booth filled a football field. In the booth Mr DS18 and the team showed all at DS18 “We Like It Loud.”

The Atlantic City Truck Meet capped a DS18 journey that stretched nearly 3 weeks. The first stop was the Summer Truckin’ Nationals at AT&T Stadium in Dallas TX July 15th-17th. The next stop was a swing to the south for activities in Houston.

Following a weekend in Times Square, the morning of July 25th,  DS18 was in the Big Apple making a sales call with distributor Unique Auto Sound and dealers in the Big Apple including Avenue Sound’ s 2 locations and Proline Car Stereo. Keep in hind it is 1600 miles from Houston to New York.

As the week’s end approached the DS18 team was headed to Atlantic City for the 2-Day Truck Meet at Bader Field. That intense 2 days was followed by the trip back to DS18 HQ in South Miami Gardens FL.

Overall the DS18 Team traveled nearly 5000 miles pulling trailers behind multiple vehicles.

DS18 certainly showed many thousands of enthusiast at DS18 “We Like It Loud” during the grueling trip described above.

Visit DS18.com for more.

Amplified Designs Joined DS18 at Jeepin’ The Coast

LONG BEACH, MS (06.07.22) – During the Jeepin’ The Coast run from June 1st through the 5th DS18 definitely showed all “We Like It Loud”. Amplified Designs was on site and added their newly wrapped 40’ trailer to the DS18 layout. With the DS18 40’ double stack trailer as a showroom plus multiple tents and Jeep demos Mr DS18 Rob and Yery “Cookie” were busy throughout virtually every minute of the event. A large 18’x18’ 2-sided graphic could be seen across the entire event venue to draw Jeepers to see the latest from DS18. The Amplified Designs team of 3 and trailer was right along side.

The Amplified Designs trailer with the DS18 trailer at setup.

Kyle Wardell stated, “Our company is just down the road in Slidell LA. At our store we spotlight the Jeep customers and DS18 is our go to brand. Sales at the Jeepin’ The Coast event were strong and Jeepers really lied our new T’s and cps.. Just didn’t have enough JT Soundbars to meet the demand. At our store we may do 10 to 12 Jeep systems each week.”

Mr DS18 Rob Ferro related, “This was one amazing event. We saw so many new faces and fantastic Jeep builds featuring DS18 gear. There were definitely over 3000 Jeeps with even more Jeepers in and around Long Beach for the event. Amplified Designs, our dealer in close by Slidell LA, was on site. Kyle Wardwell and his crew sold a ton of DS18 amps, subs, speakers and tower speakers.”

Stock in the Amplified Designs booth ready for Jeepin’ the Coast to open.
Jeepers fill the venue throughout the event.

For the Jeepin’ the Coast event Amplified Designs rushed a complete graphic wrap on their 40’ trailer. Wardell relayed, “Austin Douroux absolutely did a killer job on the trailer wrap. He completed the wrap in just 21 hours and the trailer was a standout at the event right next to the DS18 40’ double stack trailer and showroom.”

Long Beach is a town of less than 20,000 along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. During the event the town was packed with Jeepers having a great time and Jeeps packed the streets and main drag in downtown. Vendor Village was located adjacent to downtown and very close to the beach.

New Amplified Designs caps ready for Jeepers.
No doubt this 2-sided 18’x18’ graphic let all know DS18 and Amplified Designs said “We Like It Loud” to Jeepers at Jeepin’ the Coast.

“The Vendor Village wrapped Saturday afternoon and all got prepared for the parade downtown. That parade was like Mardi Gras but for Jeepers and Jeeps. As an event sponsor DS18 lit up the ‘Shake the Street’ Parade. Again showing all at DS18 ‘We Like It Loud,’” Ferro stated.

During the ‘Shake the Street’ Parade DS18 sponsored 4 events. There were 30 Jeeps in the contest with winners receiving prizes for Best Sound, Best Install, Best Self-Made and Best Overall.

“The Jeepin’ The Coast was definitely a terrific event and we feel DS18 owns in market in Mississippi. Amplified Designs is adding to that every day,” Ferro offered.

Concluding Wardell related, “Our Amplified Designs location is just 44 miles down the road from Long Beach. At the Jeepin’ the Coast event we scheduled some jobs and anticipate more business from partnering with DS18 at the event.”

Visit DS18.com and jeepinthecoast.com for more.

DS18 Was Jeepin’ The Coast in Long Beach, MS

LONG BEACH, MS (06.06.22) – During the Jeepin’ The Coast run from June 1st through the 5th DS18 definitely showed all “We Like It Loud”. With the 40’ double stack trailer as a showroom plus multiple tents and Jeep demos Mr DS18 Rob and Yery “Cookie” were busy throughout virtually every minute of the event. A large 18’x18’ 2-sided graphic could be seen across the entire event venue to draw Jeepers to see the latest from DS18.

Mr DS18 Rob Ferro related “This was one amazing event. We saw so many new faces and fantastic Jeep builds featuring DS18 gear. There were definitely over 3000 Jeeps with even more Jeepers in and around Long Beach for the event. Amplified Sounds, our dealer in close by Slidell LA was on site. Kyle Wardwell and his crew sold a ton of DS18 amps, subs, speakers and tower speakers.”

The huge 18’x18’ 2-sided graphic grabbed attention from across the event venue.
Attendees check out one of the multiple DS18 Jeep demos.

Long Beach is a own of less than 20,000 along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. During the event the town was packed with Jeepers having a great time and Jeeps packed the streets and main drag in downtown. Vendor Village was located adjacent to downtown and very close to the beach.

“The Vendor Village wrapped Saturday afternoon and all got prepared for the parade downtown. That parade was like Mardi Gras but for Jeepers and Jeeps. As an event sponsor DS18 lit up the ‘Shake the Street’ Parade. Again showing all at DS18 “We Like It Loud” Ferro stated.

Each day of the event attendance was strong.
Jeepers and their rides packed the Long Beach, MS area.

During the ‘Shake the Street’ Parade DS18 sponsored 4 events. There were 30 Jeeps in the contest with winners receiving prizes for Best Sound, Best Install, Best Self-Made and Best Overall.

“The Jeepin’ The Coast was definitely a terrific event and we feel DS18 owns in market in Mississippi” Ferro concluded.

Jeeps filled the streets in downtown, too.
Mr DS18 Rob Ferro pictured at the Florida Welcome Center in Pensacola during the Sunday journey back to DS18 HQ in Miami. Yery “Cookie” behind the camera. Their DS18 rigs with trailers in the background.

Rob Ferro and Yery Sanz rolled from DS18 HQ in Miami early in the week for the 800+ miles to Long Beach MS. Ferro pulled a trailer with multiple Jeep demo vehicles on board. Sanz pulled the 40’ double stack showroom trailer. The duo headed back to Miami Sunday morning. No doubt the reward points for the fuel was substantial for the round trip to the Jeepin’ The Coast event in Long Beach, MS.

Visit DS18.com for more.

Evolution Sales Set to Distribute DS18 in the Pacific Northwest

MONROE, WA (01.19.22) – The initial DS18 order arrived at the Evolution Sales warehouse on Friday, January 14th.

“We set up our first DS18 dealer, Raineer Audio, on Sunday January 16th. We had been speaking with Logan Craver about bringing in the line. When we let him know it had arrived he wanted to come from Lakewood on Sunday, pick out models and take it with him. That happened and we are off to a great start as an authorized distributor with DS18,” Darin Plemel related.

A pallet of DS18 ready to go on the rack in the Evolution warehouse.

Evolution opened as a distributor just over 2 years ago. Plemel’s 12volt history includes 12 years with a rep/distributor in the Pacific Northwest. Darin’s son Devin also works with Evolution as the family serves their growing dealer base across Washington and Oregon. Aunex plus brands Heise, Axxess, iBeam and Shuriken under the Metra umbrella complete the Evolution linecard.

A smiling Logan Craver picking up his order for Raineer Audio-Lakewood WA on Sunday at the Evolution facility in Monroe WA. Note his co-pilot in the SUV.

Chuck Kenney, DS18 Sales Manager, offered, “Evolution Sales was strongly recommended to me by a dealer in the area and that got the ball rolling. We look forward to working with Darin and Evolution Sales to grow the DS18 brand in the Pacific Northwest.”

 Scott Scheffler-Platinum Car Audio in Puyallup WA, picking up this weeks supply of DS18 from the Evolution Sales office in Monroe WA on Tuesday afternoon., January 18th.

“Since opening one of our main objectives has been to stay in touch with activities the marketplace. The DS18 product lineup fills a need in the market. Some sound-off enthusiasts were sourcing DS18 products from outside the area. Now DS18 will be available from dealers in the Pacific Northwest,” Darin Plemel stated.

Evolution Sales is located at 146th Street SE Suite141, Monroe WA 98272

For info, please email darin@evolution-sales.com

DS18 Hosted a Very Successful 4th Annual Loud for Tots Event

MIAMI GARDENS, FL (12.23.2021) – Loud for Tots was the place to be on Sunday December 19th, from noon until 6PM, at the DS18 HQ in Miami Gardens FL. The 4th Annual Loud for Tots event was designed as a community minded event to gather toys for children in need during the Christmas Season.

The sun popped out for this image of the Loud for Tots event in the large DS18 parking lot.

The weather on Sunday was not 100% cooperative during the day with intermittent rain showers that began shortly after 8AM when DS18 Team Members began to set up all the tents and place demo vehicles around the large DS18 HQ parking lot.

Some of the 40 DS18 tents are shown this image.

Rob Ferro, Mr DS18, contributed “We set up 40 tents in the lot. We had a several DS18 demo vehicles plus a number of people attending the event had show cars and personal cars with systems. During the event we certainly got the message across that at DS18 We Like It Loud.”

Ladies say ‘We Like It Loud’ too!

At the end of the event the count of attendees was north of 200 with over 10 huge boxes filled with unwrapped toys. During the event members of the crowd enjoyed over 200 free hot dog off the grill. Raffles grabbed attention during the event and toys were traded for raffle tickets.

Amazing vehicles were spotted around the event…all let the world know “We Like It Loud!”

Continuing Ferro noted “Last year there was quite a presence of local police as some in the local area objected to the sound from the event. This year was different even though we played it loud. Officers came by to show their support for the DS18 Loud for Tots event.”

As the event wrapped Sunday evening Rob Ferro snapped this selfie with (L to R) Rob, Tego, Henry and Gus in the background.

Chuck Kenney, new onboard with DS18 related “I think this was a terrific event. There were a lot of people in the parking lot who came together and brought toys for a great cause. The DS18 Loud for Tots was a special event for sure.”

Following the event DS18 staff members made plans to deliver the toys to diverse foundations and charities. One of the organizations top on the list was for children with Autism.

Concluding Ferro stated “Putting smiles on the faces of many children is always so very rewarding for all of us at DS18.”

Visit DS18.com for more.

DS18 and Petra Industries Join Forces to Make It Loud

EDMOND, OK (12.10.2021) – Petra Industries, the consumer technology authority and wholesale electronics distributor, is pleased to announce the addition of DS18 speakers and amplifiers to their lineup of premium automotive audio products.

By using the slogan “We Like It Loud,” DS18 sets itself apart from old-school brands. Unafraid to push the envelope, it was created and developed by a team of young, determined professionals who understands the needs of today’s car audio industry. As a result, it is one of the freshest lines in the industry.

The DS18 goal is to deliver what they feel previous companies have failed to do—a sophisticated, trendy product line that continually upgrades itself. One reason the company is continually innovating is that they consider customers part of their team. DS18 takes customer feedback as a command to constantly improve products. The end results are the most-relevant, coolest-looking designs and technologies on the market.

“DS18 brings a whole new attitude to car audio,” said Tate Morgan, President, Petra Industries. “Think of them as the new, cool kid on the block ready to shake things up. Their staff is passionate about sound. They eat, sleep, and breathe audio. And they design the most outstanding products technology can offer while remaining sensitive to pricing. Installers and retailers in the automotive audio space should take a hard look at DS18. The brand will appeal to the most experienced audio enthusiast as well as the everyday motorist.”

To learn more about Petra’s DS18 lineup of automotive audio components including amplifiers, coaxial speakers, subwoofers, midranges, and tweeters, visit order.petra.com

Visit ds18.com and petra.com for more.

Chuck Kenney Onboard at DS18

MIAMI GARDENS, FL (11.12.2021) – Chuck Kenney has joined the DS18 Team and recently relocated to South Florida. With a 30+ year career in the 12volt industry Kenney brings a new dimension to the DS18 sales team.

Chuck Kenney pictured by Mr. DS 18’s Exotica that is seen at events across the Southeastern US and beyond.

“Job description number one at DS18 is to reach out to contacts, dealers and distributors, across the industry to let them know the tremendous product lineup DS18 has in place and the opportunities DS18 offers in the marketplace,” Kenney stated.

“We are happy to add Chuck to our growing team. He brings years of experience and connections in our industry which will push DS18 to even newer achievements,” stated Sasha Susterman, DS18 General Manager.

Chuck Kenney is pictured with a new DS18 PRO-TWX4 Tweeter in his Miami Gardens office.

Continuing, Kenney offered, “Already I see the presence DS18 has across the industry. The energetic Team, with Mr DS18 Rob Ferro out front, seems to be everywhere. Also, the company is expanding the product mix of innovative and forward thinking in marine and powersports while also introducing new products for the traditional car audio market. I am excited and look forward to hitting the road. In fact I plan to be in the Texas and Oklahoma markets in Mid-November.”

Most recently Kenney was National Sales Manager for Massive Audio. Design Engineering, SSR Distributors and Soundstream positions are included in Kenney’s resume.

Contact Chuck at 214 587 7603 or email chuck@ds18.com

DS18 Intros Two Ultra Compact Class D Amplifiers

MIAMI GARDENS, FL (08.18.2021) – The new DS18 X1 and X2 ultra compact amplifiers will virtually fit into the palm of a hand.

The DS18 X1 is a Class D mono-block amplifier that is rated at 900 Watts peak and features equalizer controls.

The DS18 X2 is a Class D 2 channel amplifier that is rated at 1140 Watts peak with builtin crossover.

Both of these new DS18 Amplifiers are perfect for vehicles with very little room to mount large amplifiers. Though small in size both put out an amazing amount of power.

The MSRP on both models is $174.99.

For more see DS18.com.

DS18 Teams Up with Electronic Express

MIAMI GARDENS, FL (06.11.2021) – DS18, a well-known player in the audio industry, notorious for their stylish, clear sounding, trend setting audio equipment for cars, marine, and on-the-go. Their slogan, “We like it loud!” is taking on a whole new meaning for those in Tennessee and Alabama, as DS18 will now be available in all Electronic Express storefronts.

Electronic Express is known for their wide array of electronics, ranging from home appliances to audio and video for the home and car audio.

Specializing in everything audio related, DS18 has a vast array of options for any audio project that any audiophile, from beginner to professional, can desire. DS18 has experts in OEM, Pro-Audio, Bass, Jeep Nation, Marine Specialization, and Off-Road, that live and breathe the industry and are true enthusiasts themselves. They have continued to lead the industry with products that have the latest and greatest audio technology, that allows you to stand out in any crowd.

Visit ds18.com and electronicexpress.com for more.