This transaction will merge all APG’s consumer electronics (CE) and custom installation (CI) brands, Denon, NAD, PSB, Loewe, AKG (personal audio products), Tannoy (residential products), Niles, Elan, Sunfire and Xantech with QualiFi’s existing brands, Marantz, Jamo, ZVOX, Stealth Acoustics, MK, Forte to create a strong brand portfolio in the Australian AV market.

On the date of the merger, APG’s product management and area management teams will join their new colleagues at QualiFi. Michael Henriksen will continue in his role as QualiFi chief executive and Philip Hawkins will become general manager. Ralph Grundl will be responsible for marketing and Steve Gerry will be national sales manager. Ken Dwyer has been invited to join the QualiFi board of directors.

QualiFi will establish a Sydney office but will initially operate its Sydney based team from APG’s offices for a transition period.

All past and future warranty obligations on all the groups’ CE and CI brands will be assumed by QualiFi as from 1 July 2013.

Both Ken Dwyer and Michael Henriksen are extremely excited with the prospects for this merger. The combined management and sales teams, together with the broader portfolio of world-renowned brands, will create a very important distribution business in the CE and CI markets in Australia. Both APG and QualiFi share similar business values and culture; both companies have long histories of success in the Australian AV industry. The purpose of this merger is to create an extremely strong and valued distribution partner for all brands represented across all the various CE and CI sales channels.

Note: APG’s installed sound and pro audio/musical instrument divisions are not part of this merger. APG retains ownership of these divisions.