Harman America to Cut Distributors
Harman America has announced they are revamping their distribution strategy. Their new strategy will, ironically enough, not include distributors. For the past decade or so many smaller, independent dealers and custom installers have purchased their Harman (Harman Kardon, JBL, Infinity) products primarily through a network of distributors.
This has now changed and as such, many of these dealers will not have access to Harman products unless they are approved to become direct dealers. As explained by a Harman exec:
“This new strategy will assist Harman to build its world-class brand portfolio and reputation for quality audio products,” said James Foster, general manager of Harman Consumer Division Americas Region. “It will dramatically shape our retail footprint so that consumers are delivered a world-class shopping experience and our retail partners realize improved business results.”
Last year, Harman restructured it's manufacture's reps, pulling representation from some long time reps and giving Harman product representation to different rep firms.
