A new company, North American Pro Audio (NAPA), has been formed to provide US distribution for British audio mixing console manufacturer Allen & Heath, and will be doing business as Allen & Heath USA.
As of August 1, Allen & Heath will be represented by NAPA, ending the UK company's business relationship with Utah-based Harman Music Group. Allen & Heath left the Harman International Industries Limited group following a management buyout in June 2001 but continued to distribute its products through Harman Music Group until now.
"This change in distribution is the final step on the journey to full independence, which we embarked on with the buyout last year," says Allen & Heath managing director Glenn Rogers. "We're grateful to the Harman Music Group team in Utah for all the work they have done over the years to support the brand. Thanks to them, we and NAPA have a very strong base from which to grow our business in the future."
NAPA has been founded by Lynn P. Martin, an industry veteran who has held executive positions with Harman and most recently with Guitar Center, a musical instrument retailer. Allan Nichols will continue as director of sales in the new company. NAPA plans to retain all the existing rep network.
NAPA has its headquarters at a newly built facility in Agoura Hills, CA, with Allan Nichols operating a satellite facility in Nashville, TN, to provide full East and West Coast coverage.
"This is the beginning of an incredibly exciting future for us and for Allen & Heath," says Martin. "The team we have built has an unsurpassed knowledge of this business, and we are all huge fans of Allen & Heath's products. I've seen the new product plan and the future looks very bright indeed."
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