AVAD

AVAD LLC (AVAD LTD. in Canada) is a distributor of consumer and custom electronics in North America and provider of solutions to the residential and commercial custom installation markets. AVAD is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ingram Micro Inc. (traded as: NYSE: IM) and is part of Ingram Micro's Specialty Solutions Division. AVAD operates 24 locations across North America, with 21 branches in the U.S. and three branches located in Canada.
AVAD supplies integrators access to the industry’s top products and integrated solutions for video, audio, lighting control, content management, whole-home and related product categories. AVAD offers a broad consumer electronics and business automation portfolio in North America, distributing over 75 major brands to a customer base of over 10,000 custom electronics dealers.
AVAD has been recognized prominently as an electronics industry leader through various industry awards. Notable awards include multiple Platinum award distinctions from the CE Pro magazine Quest for Quality in 2011 and 2012, acknowledging leading efforts in technical support, distributor website, shipping policies and training program. Additional honors have been bestowed to acknowledge AVAD's custom publishing efforts for product catalogs and electronics industry trade show resources and displays.
History
AVAD was founded in 1998 to address the unique needs of installers of custom home entertainment and lifestyle systems.
AVAD began offering a "Dealer to Builder" program in 2003, which links highly-trained and qualified members of its dealer corps with homebuilders across the United States to outfit new homes with in-demand, cutting-edge electronic systems. The program enabled partnered dealers to find success by offering bundled electronics solutions to existing networks in need.
Recording several consecutive years of growth in the industry, the company was acquired by Ingram Micro in July 2005 and became the leading distributor in home technology. AVAD announced massive expansions across the United States, totaling 8 new stores in 2006.
Ingram Micro announced the expansion of AVAD in Canada, with the first store opening outside of America happening in Toronto in January 2008, followed by stores in Calgary in May 2008 and Vancouver in June 2011.
After contraction in the housing market, AVAD refocused its resources and refocused efforts towards the creation of solution-driven services to address the needs of their customers, debuting programs such as AVAD System Design and technical support.
In March 2012, AVAD acquired sole distribution rights to D&M Holdings Inc., parent company of Denon, Marantz and Boston Acoustics brands. Further vendor additions in 2012 included SANUS, Chief, Intuitive Designs and QSC.
Company operations
System Design Group
Launched in May 2010, the System Design Group provides electronics integrators with a full range of complimentary design services, including needs analysis, bill of materials specifications, AutoCAD drawings and more. From basic to complex commercial projects, the AVAD System Design Group is structured to collaborate strategically with customers to develop the best solutions for their clients with appropriate product selections.
Technical support
Recognizing the industry standard practice of outsourcing technical support, AVAD committed to providing in-house access to knowledgeable product experts that could play a role in product selection, programming and troubleshooting. AVAD's technical support service was awarded the CE Pro Magazine Quest for Quality platinum award in 2012.
Marketing
AVAD has expanded into multiple channels including print, audio, digital and social media networks to connect integrator businesses more closely with brand representatives and product options. In partnership with Samsung, a 2011 national video contest called "I Can See That In 3D?!" functioned as a consumer outreach campaign that reached more than 20 million customers. AVAD also invested in a corporate video called "AVAD Originals: It Starts Here," detailing the opportunities available to electronics integrators. Additional efforts have included podcast and blog updates that relay industry news and advice digitally.
AVAD University
AVAD’s award-winning education program features online and classroom product training, technical certification and complete system coursework for home integrators that helps businesses learn and integrate proven solutions and best practices from the commercial marketplace and industry leaders. The curriculum, which won CE Pro magazine's Quest for Quality platinum award, includes hundreds of training events every year.
The AVAD Opportunity Tour, a series of one-night-only events held at select AVAD branches, introduces dealers to new solutions they can use immediately to impact their businesses during networking and question/answer seminars. Related events include commercial summit programs held at various AVAD branch locations.

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