U.S. Importers of Wharfedale, Quad Merge

Over the past year the British loudspeaker company Wharfedale has picked up a lot of momentum in the custom electronics market thanks to the performance and value proposition it offers both dealers and end users. In a move that should bolster Wharfedale's ability to service installers even further, Sound Import, LLC, the U.S. importer of Wharfedale loudspeakers, and Taiga, LLC, North American importer of Quad Electroacoustics electronic and electrostatic loudspeakers, will merge operations to form an import entity that's even more diversified.

The merger becomes effective on Oct. 1 and the newly formed company will be known as Taiga Sound Import, LLC (TSI). The merger of these entities brings together two of the world's oldest audio brands, and it joins two brands that are manufactured by the International Audio Group, Ltd. (IAG).

Walter Schofield, vice president of sales and marketing of TSI, points out the merger made sense for both companies for a variety of reasons. “Wharfedale and Quad are often imported and distributed by the same entities worldwide for good reason; as the product differentiation between the brands makes good sense for our dealer partners," Schofield explains. "We will make sure however, that their unique identities remain intact. This merger is well positioned to deliver attainable profitability and sustainable, long-term value for our customers. TSI will work to align distribution and marketing activities to expose the brands to new audiences and bring new, exciting market-driven products to the North American market.”

Jeff Sigmund, general manager of TSI, adds that both companies will benefit from the combined resources of the newly formed company. “It is with great pleasure that we are in a position to once again see these brands imported and distributed from the same entity," says Sigmund. "Quad and Wharfedale helped shape the audio industry for over 75 years [with] both [companies] offering unique, proprietary technologies that add significantly to their superior value in the marketplace. In addition to the brand complements, our management team brings together outstanding skill sets regarding logistics, sales & marketing and perhaps most importantly ... superior before- and after-the-sale customer service.”

Wharfedale and Quad Loudspeakers and electronics are built in the only completely vertically integrated speaker and consumer electronics factory in the world. IAG manufactures every component, right down to the screws and components within the crossovers. The brands say the completeness of this operation results in total control from design to finish.