Ten new AVAD distribution centers have been opened in 2006, bringing the total number of locations to 37. The new distribution centers are located in Austin, Boston, Tampa, Raleigh, Chicago, Richmond, Philadelphia, San Jose, Las Vegas and a second location in Denver.
Expansion has not been limited to the increase in the number of distribution centers - AVAD has grown and refined itself throughout all aspects of operation. Substantial increases to total staffing has enhanced dealer service; a large number of important new brands have been added to the available product line-up - including Toshiba®, JVC®, iPort®, Niveus MediaT, Gefen®, Niles®, Goo Systems-Visual RealityT and OmniMount®. AVAD's Dealer to Builder program - which brings together builders and electronic system integrators for the mutual benefit of addressing the burgeoning demand for sophisticated home technology systems - has been expanded substantially, with thousands of new installations underway.
Additionally, AVAD has been able to offer more educational training to the industry, such as CEDIA Installer Certification classes, designer 'Boot Camps' and more overall product training classes on a day-to-day basis to AVAD dealers in locations across the United States.
Coupled with the growth in all areas of the company, there has been a refinement of structural and operating systems that have increased efficiency and allowed the company to function as a more unified distribution unit. The service and underlying philosophies of AVAD, such as selective distribution, extensive professional training and certification, and personalized service has remained the same - continuing to distinguish AVAD from other home technology distributors. The acquisition by Ingram Micro has only enhanced AVAD's resources and their ability to respond to dealer's needs.
"Our first year under Ingram Micro has proven to be everything we had hoped for, and the synergy between parent and subsidiary has been of great benefit to our employees, affiliates, customers and manufacturer partners," said Bob Gartland, president of AVAD. "AVAD has continued to operate as a separate business unit, maintaining its previous value proposition and brand, while Ingram Micro has provided enhancements in key support areas, such as finance, human resources and information systems. The rate of expansion of our capabilities and reach across the electronic systems contractor base would not have been possible without Ingram Micro's support and we here at AVAD could not be more pleased and optimistic going forward."