“We’re really seeing the exponential value take shape,” Aarnes says. “Our mantra has been ‘Even Better Together,’ and, over a year in, I’m proud to say it’s not just a slogan — it is our reality.”
ADI | Snap One Has Merged Teams for Smarter Collaboration
Aarnes notes that the successful integration of teams from both companies has been a significant contributor to the combined organization’s success. “We’ve successfully integrated teams across every function of the business,” Aarnes says. “What began with a 50/50 balance on my leadership team now runs three to four levels deep.” Blended teams in marketing, operations and sales bring together ADI and Snap One talent, positioning them to make smarter decisions and work more collaboratively.
Internal blending of this sort is improving the organization’s ability to adapt and innovate. “This cultural alignment is helping to power smarter decisions, stronger collaboration and a more agile organization,” Aarnes attests.
ADI | Snap One on Enhanced Customer Value
On the customer front, ADI | Snap One’s cross-selling initiatives have delivered measurable value. Amazingly, Aarnes confirms that Snap One’s exclusive brand WattBox was made available in all ADI locations within just nine days of the acquisition closing. Since then, he continues, “hundreds of SKUs have flowed in both directions,” with already-aggressive targets comfortably exceeded. Aarnes says that customers are delighted by what they’re experiencing. “Customers have been thrilled by the broader selection, faster access and unified purchasing experience,” he explains. “And based on feedback we’ve gotten from our customers, we’ve even been accelerating some cross-sell initiatives to get them products sooner.”
Beyond products and solutions, ADI and Snap One are reimagining their retail spaces. By consolidating locations in markets in which both ADI and Snap One stores existed, the company has launched “stores of the future,” Aarnes says. Locations in Omaha, Neb., Pittsburgh, PA, Montreal and Oklahoma City are prime examples. These locations feature expanded warehouse spaces, co-branded designs, enhanced customer services and integrated product assortments. “While these locations have exceeded our expectations from day one,” Aarnes begins, “we’re continuously learning and applying those insights to future openings.”
Notably, ADI | Snap One says plans are underway to replicate the successful combined store concept across additional markets.
ADI | Snap One Has Addressed Customer Concerns
One common question among legacy Snap One customers was whether the integration might perhaps dilute inventory or lower service levels. Aarnes addresses these concerns head on. “The answer? Absolutely not,” he declared. “In fact, we’ve expanded product depth and availability.” Moreover, Aarnes notes that, for its new stores, ADI | Snap One has added AV specialists trained up to Snap’s high standards. “So,” he adds, “customers get the specialized expertise they expect.”
When asked about Control4, Aarnes reaffirmed the combined organization’s commitment to a certified, qualified dealer model for this premium product line. “Control4 continues to be a differentiated product offering that requires a very technical installation and certifications,” Aarnes explains. “And we’ve reaffirmed our commitment to supporting Control4 only through certified, qualified dealers.” Dealers now have access to the latest Control4 X4 platform, following its recent launch.
Data-Driven Strategy for ADI | Snap One
The combined ADI | Snap One organization, Aarnes says, operates according to a data-driven approach, using comprehensive customer surveys to help guide decision-making. As Aarnes puts it, “We don’t guess — we ask.” This is all part of his leadership team’s and his commitment to delivering customer value by putting customer feedback at the center of the integration. To wit, the combined organization has conducted multiple post-acquisition customer sentiment surveys, with the resulting findings directly informing company strategy.
He shared that how the survey responses are sorted into themes (e.g., product availability, org structure transparency) and subsequently assigned to senior leaders to act on and report upon.
Similarly, ADI | Snap One conducts employee-sentiment surveys to address internal concerns and to maintain transparency. Aarnes ties this to the importance of clear communication to build alignment and trust across teams. “When people understand why decisions are made, they feel more confident,” he says. “And that translates directly to how they support customers.”
ADI | Snap One Embraces Communication and Unity
Aarnes shared how important communications is during this time, playing a pivotal role in fostering transparency at every level. This includes newsletter updates, a video series, open forums, and a dedicated integration hub on the company’s employee intranet.
Aarnes espouses a refreshing view on transparency that borders on radical candor. That extends to being transparent about the organization’s growth roadmap, including store consolidations. “We even shared a three-year roadmap [pertaining to consolidations],” Aarnes says, noting that this type of openness fosters trust and alignment.
Operational Visibility
Delving into those details, Aarnes explains that plans are in place to consolidate between 10 and 20 stores by the end of the year. This number reflects a mix of remodels and consolidations to include both Snap and ADI offerings.
In parallel, the organization tackled a major ERP [enterprise resource planning] system transition, which began with ADI Canada’s rollout in January followed by the U.S. transition this summer.
ADI | Snap One is Well Positioned for Value
Thanks to its data-driven decision-making, seamless integration and customer-centric values, ADI | Snap One is well positioned to continue delivering value to partners and stakeholders across the AV industry. “We’re a year in, and we’ve accomplished so much,” Aarnes concludes. “But I believe the best is yet to come.”
