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Letter to the editor D
German DAB specialist Sonoro relaunches in UK
G
erman DAB radio manufacturer Sonoro is to relaunch in the UK. Although the brand has been available in the UK for the last few
years, a new dedicated team, led by industry business consultant and former Vivanco managing director Neil Drain (pictured right), has been appointed to launch the latest generation of Sonoro products to leading CE and audio specialist retailers. The company designs products to meet the specific needs of each
room in the house. For example, one of the key new lifestyle products in the company’s line-up is the Sonoro CD2 - an all-in-one DAB CD radio. With an increasing problem of people suffering sleep deprivation due to the fast pace of life, Sonoro has included relaxation and meditation soundtracks, developed in conjunction with sleep specialists into this product. It also includes Smart Light Automation, dimming lights before sleep, and slowly increasing them in the morning alongside music or alarm volume. The range extends from the mains or battery-powered DAB and FM
sonoroGOLONDON radio at £99 through to the high end sonoroHIFI at £1,250, with more products scheduled for launch later this year. The company will be extending its existing customer network to
guarantee nationwide coverage of its new generation products. Sonoro international sales director Leon Tomasevic (pictured centre)
said: “We are delighted to have Neil Drain on board to implement a strategic marketing policy for our new generation of products. German engineering is highly regarded the world over and we are confident that true audiophiles will really appreciate and embrace this philosophy and will love the Sonoro products.” Sonoro UK sales manager Neil Drain believes opportunities exist to highlight the unique proposition of the product range, especially for independent retailers. He commented: “The Sonoro products with their unique features and fantastic colour range, offer proactive retailers a great opportunity to create some theatre in-store and stimulate interest from consumers looking for something totally different. At the same time Sonoro are offering excellent margin to their stockists and a service and support set-up second to none.” He adds: “These are audio products that stand up for themselves against anyone else in the market cosmetically and in terms of sound quality. By adding the additional features, Sonoro has created something that really fits in where we are now in society. People are starting to think seriously about their lifestyle. “I’ve worked in the independent retailer channel for more than 30
years. This channel now has a really interesting core of dealers, very professional businesses who have reinvented themselves for the modern market. The Sonoro products will help create theatre in-store. There is a story behind them and they will sell where retailers are creating that theatre. As such the Sonoro range sits very well in this environment.” Based in Neuss, Germany, Sonoro was founded by now-chief executive
Marcell Faller (pictured left) in 2005. The company launched with the intention of combatting the middle market tendency for drab plastic radios. Marcell’s aim was to design a line of compact tabletop audio products, with a focus on sound and build quality and unique design.
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www.innovativeelectricalretailing.co.uk April 2017
ear Gregor, I hope through your magazine I can sincerely thank everyone for
the surprise (for me) of the year on March 30, on receiving the highly coveted Lifetime Achievement award at the IER Awards evening. I started to become a little suspicious that something was going on when I saw old colleagues from the 70s in the audience...but they all had very sound reasons for being there and so my suspicions were allayed somewhat. Until of course Stuart Hopwood took to the stage and began his presentation... Then the penny dropped. I really was gobsmacked, as the official photograph showed. Had I
known... what an opportunity for a well prepared speech... but sadly this was not the case. I guess that was a blessing in disguise for all present! So a sincere and heartfelt “thank
you” to everyone involved in this well engineered conspiracy plan, and thank you IER, retra, Stuart Hopwood, Linda Dorling - in fact everyone... dealers, manufacturers, press and all in this lovely industry of ours. Long may it continue.
Kind regards,
John. B. Reddington Big Red Sales Ltd
Montpellier appoints new area sales manager
E
van Dobbs has joined Montpellier Domestic Appliances as area sales manager for Southern England, the company has announced. He moves from HooverCandy, and previously held roles within the construction sector where he dealt with architects and kitchen designers. Evan will be working with kitchen independents and the kitchen studio
sector for Montpellier. Evan commented: “I am very pleased to be working with a new and rapidly
growing British owned manufacturer. The team at Montpellier have been providing fantastic reliable and affordable products since inception five years ago. It is a great pleasure to join a great team and to educate new clients to our friendly and approachable business, whilst providing amazing products at a fantastic price.”
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