Audio Advice continues to grow with the announced acquisition of The Sound Room, which comes a little over a year after the company’s purchase of The Audio Lab.
Since opening in 1983, The Sound Room, founded by David Young, has focused on delivering personalized service, cutting-edge technology, and comprehensive AV solutions for nearly 42 years.
In speaking on the acquisition, Young had this to say: “Joining forces with Audio Advice ensures our customers will continue to receive exceptional service while benefiting from expanded resources, expertise, and product offerings.”
What’s in Store for The Sound Room Post-Acquisition
The deal provides a direct expansion of Audio Advice’s services and products into the St. Louis market through The Sound Room’s storefront, though, according to Audio Advice, the internal operations of The Sound Room’s business will remain intact.
Existing Sound Room staff will be retained following the transition so as not to disrupt the customer experience while Audio Advice’s online resources, design tools, and expanded product lines are incorporated into the overall business.
Offering a glimpse behind the rationale of the purchase, Audio Advice CEO Scott Newnam noted that The Sound Room’s shared values of customer service and passion for technology presented a good fit for the growing brand.
Audio Advice’s M&A Activity Reflects Careful Strategy for Growth
Since its founding in 1978, Audio Advice has become known for its immersive showrooms, e-commerce presence, and technical leadership, all of which the company frequently highlights through its annual Audio Advice Live events.
These events commonly feature immersive demos, educational sessions, and brand showcases centered on the company’s main location in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Historically, it’s been that experiential retail and customer support experience that has earned the company continued recognition in the space, leading its aspirations for national expansion into a delicate balancing act of expanding its resources while still maintaining close, regional relationships.
Purchases like The Audio Lab and The Sound Room, which both have well-established customer bases (over 30 years of business at least in the case of The Audio Lab) and excel at a similar regional service model, highlight the company’s care in preserving this type of experience for its clients.
Service Found to Make or Break Companies Post-Merger
As the acquisition unfolds amid ongoing consolidation within the custom integration (CI) and specialty AV sector, customer service has become a sticking point for many integrators as companies grow and evolve.
In speaking with integrators and experts on the topic, CE Pro has uncovered that service disruptions (be they logistical or quality-focused) have the potential to negatively impact businesses undergoing such an expansion.
Individual integrators who wish to remain anonymous have recounted stories of stepping away from certain businesses due to changes in customer service following acquisitions, making a preservation of these services paramount for any business undergoing an acquisition in the modern CI landscape.
While Audio Advice continues to make careful moves to preserve its customer service record across an expanding national footprint, time will tell if the company can continue its careful selection streak.
