search.noResults

search.searching

dataCollection.invalidEmail
note.createNoteMessage

search.noResults

search.searching

orderForm.title

orderForm.productCode
orderForm.description
orderForm.quantity
orderForm.itemPrice
orderForm.price
orderForm.totalPrice
orderForm.deliveryDetails.billingAddress
orderForm.deliveryDetails.deliveryAddress
orderForm.noItems
October 2020 www.avnews.co.uk Page 8 State-of-the-art indoor LED


Enhanced digital signage is proving its worth aganst the Covid-19 pandemic. We look at the solutons availabe.


Page 14


Software digital signage solu- tions


Hospitality is a huge contributor to the national economy, and the subject of innovation designed to encourage re-openig,


Boxlight acquires Sahara Presentations Group


The Nasdaq quoted Boxlight Corporation (Nasdaq: BOXL), described as ‘a leading pro- vider of interactive technology solutions for the global edu- cation market’ has announced that it has acquired Sahara Presentation


Systems PLC.


Having grown to become a leader in distributed AV prod- ucts and a manufacturer of multi


award-winning touch- screens and digital signage products, including the glob- ally renowned Clevertouch and Sedao brands. The company was formed in 1976 by Kevin and Nigel Batley, who grew the company to over 100 employ- ees with offices worldwide. “This is an exciting time for


the Sahara business, which is trading extremely well, even in the current climate. We wel- come the added leadership and solutions from Boxlight as we aim to accelerate our growth in key markets around the world,” commented Kev- in Batley, Director at Sahara. “I am very excited about the journey ahead,” commented Mark Starkey, CEO at Sahara.


“The global footprint and in- frastructure of Boxlight, with their experience in delivering education software and audio visual


solutions, paired with our extensive experience and expertise in AV, will position us to provide our customers across the world solutions for advanced and collaborative working environments. We are committed to continue our


rapid expansion plans and un- der the new acquisition.” Michael Pope, Chairman and CEO at Boxlight added, “I am thrilled to combine the resourc- es of Boxlight and Sahara, two of the most recognised compa- nies in education technology. The acquisition expands our geographic reach - particularly in the EMEA region, provides significant revenue growth, re-


sults in immediate consolidat- ed profitability, and adds tre- mendous global management


and BDO LLP acted as an ad- viser. Boxlight Corporation is an education technology com- pany that develops, sells and services interactive classroom solutions for the global educa- tion market. Based in Georgia, the company designs, produc- es and distributes interactive technologies including flat panels, projectors, peripherals, and accessories with the aim of improving learning and engage- ment in classrooms.


Michael Pope, Chairman and CEO at Boxlight


talent. We have committed to dramatic growth, both organi- cally and through acquisitions, and we are delivering on that promise. I look forward to re- porting


our consolidated Sahara as fi-


nancial statements in future quarters.”


Cripps Pemberton Greenish represented


legal counsel for the transaction


Sahara was formed in 1976 by Kevin and Nigel Batley, who grew the company to over 100 employees with offices worldwide


Exertis Pro AV goes global


Exertis has announced that their Exertis Pro AV brand is ex- panding across Europe, North America, Latin America, Aus- tralia and Asia. The expansion serves as a reminder of Exer- tis' ability to provide a growing global network of manufacturer partners with a single, easy-to- access platform to a worldwide market of technology buyers. Today, Exertis took the brand name global with the launch of Exertis Pro AV, the first in a series of Exertis specialist brands that will follow over the next several years. Pro AV is the largest business unit within the


global business, making it the perfect place to launch the new specialist strategy. According to Tim Griffin, man- aging director of parent compa- ny DCC Technology, the global brand realignment signals the start of a new era in worldwide specialist distribution and sin- gle-source supply chain man- agement. The 2018 acquisi- tion of Stampede accelerated the


initiative with Stampede


Europe merging with Medium under the Exertis Pro AV brand that launched the same year. The scope expanded in 2019 with the inclusion of Stam-


TAP INTO TEAMS MEETINGS


Logitech Tap for Microsoft Teams Powered by Lenovo ThinkSmart Edition Tiny


www.tdmaverick.eu


pede Asia and Australia under the brand. Now, Exertis-owned Stampede in


North America


will be named Exertis. The Ex- ertis brand will anchor Stam- pede in the United States, Canada and Latin America with Exertis Pro AV and other spe- cialist brands to follow. Exertis Go Connect, which operates in the Benelux region, will also now align under the Exertis Pro AV brand. Acquisitions COMM- TEC, with locations in Germa- ny, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Spain and Portugal; and Keren in the Netherlands will fall un- der the Exertis Pro AV umbrella


Tim Griffin, managing director of parent company DCC Tech- nology


in 2021. “This is more than a new name;


all Exertis owned companies are working together to provide a global platform for our man- ufacturers to access a single, easy-to-manage gateway to a world of ProAV resellers and end-user customers,” says Tim Griffin. “With Exertis as its specialist distribution partner, manufacturers can benefit from the product and category ex- pertise of our passionate team members across the world. We can scale at a rapid rate and provide financial resources and supply chain solutions exper- tise.”


Continued on page 16


In response to questions posed by AV News, Kevin Bat- ley replied: “Boxlight has very little presence in EMEA, and Sahara will give them a plat- form with good market share which currently they don’t have. In the US, Sahara has agreements with three US cus- tomers giving them exclusivity of the Clevertouch brand. Box- light will provide logistic and warranty support along with their


accessories to comple-


ment our screens.” And Boxlight’s key vertical markets in the US? “Edu- cation is their key market. to which as are adding digital


ISE postponed to next summer


For many. the fate of ISE in February 2021 seemed inevi- table given the spate of event cancellations in recent weeks. The organisers have now an- nounced, that “after a period of consultation with the industry and the impact of the ongoing pandemic, Integrated Systems Events


announce that ISE,


scheduled for 2-5 February, has been postponed and will now take place in June, dates tbc, alongside a virtual offer- ing.”


The direct channel to the industry


Mike Blackman, Managing Direc- tor, Integrated Systems Events: “From our many conversations, it is clear the industry can’t wait to get back together doing business face to face and we are commit- ted to delivering an engaging and safe in-person ISE in 2021. We feel by moving the event to June, it provides time for the industry to adapt and restore balance. We look forward to hosting the global AV community in our new home in Barcelona.” Fira de Barcelona – ISE moves here in June 2021.


Continued on page 16


NOW SHIPPING


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20