News

Opus Technologies announces new European distribution strategy (19/10/2007)

Following five years of successful co-operation, Opus Technologies and D&M Europe announce that, effective 1 January 2008, they will cease their Pan-European agreement under which Marantz/DMi has distributed Opus multi-room audio-video entertainment systems. This will allow each company to focus on developing its own solutions for the Custom Install market.

From 1st January 2008 Opus will assume direct responsibility for all sales of Opus in the UK.

James Johnson-Flint, Opus C.E.O, said "We have had and maintain a strong relationship with Marantz/DMi who has effectively established Opus distribution in Europe over the last five years. However changes in the global Custom Install market have forced us to rethink our distribution model." He went on to add "Opus also has a very strong development pipeline and it's only natural to reconsider distribution as the brand grows. Our priority is with Opus dealers and installers and in any fastmoving industry it is vital to be as close as possible to them. I am sure we can serve our partners most effectively through one centralised organisation."

Commenting, DMi General Manager, Mark Perrins, stated, "DMi's strategy, as a one-stop provider of CI and commercial AV solutions, offers potential for a multi-room system closely integrated with the developing network capabilities of its Denon, Escient and Marantz distributed brands. Opus Technologies' decision, taken earlier this year, to pursue its own distribution strategy, has prompted DMi to specify a networking system requirement with the closest possible fit to the capabilities of the latest systems and products from its distributed brands." He went on to add "Our objective must be to offer our customers the means of fully exploiting these features in the design of AV systems, and to fully support that capability in the market."

Opus' global organisation will be headed up by Peter Brown, Chief Operating Officer (C.O.O). His expanded team will initially focus on supporting partners with a range of valuable training and incentive programmes.

A new generation of Opus multi-room products Ð due for launch in early 2008 Ð will shift Opus into the Custom Install premier league and will need dealers to be fully conversant with a considerably broadened range. Opus' recently promoted Product Manager Toby Leader will spearhead an integrated trade training programme and will work with dealers to develop a full understanding of key products including a highly advanced touch-screen control panel and High Definition video distribution.

www.opus-technologies.co.uk