The team at Blustream had much to celebrate recently as they marked five years since the founding of the company.

Blustream was set up following the merger between QualiFi and Audio Products Group’s consumer division. QualiFi sales manager Martyn Shirley recognised the need for an AV distribution product line as Wyrestorm had remained part of the APG commercial division.

Martyn eventually hit upon the idea of QualiFi developing its own brand, having researched the market and rejecting a number of options.

Blustream launched at the Integrate Expo in Sydney on 26 August 2014 and was very well received.

The company’s first big order was to Michael Stavrou of Advanced Lifestyle Solutions in Melbourne who says that, since then, he has installed many Blustream products in residential and commercial applications.

New Zealand company Sound Group Holdings CI manager Mike King says Blustream filled a gap in the New Zealand market with its reliable product line and great service.

It was subsequently decided to demerge Blustream from QualiFi and set up a separate company and, following a meeting at the IFA trade show in Berlin the company established a fully owned UK-based subsidiary with Phil Davis and Leon Tomasevic at the helm. The company grew considerably at this location and soon outgrew its space. After moving to a new facility, the company turned its thoughts to mainland Europe.

European sales manager Bruno Vermeir was hired to oversee the establishment of distributors across Europe while Neil Wilson was appointed sales manager for Canada and South America. An OEM agreement was reached in early 2016 with a major AV manufacturer in the US and they continue to be Blustream’s biggest customer.

Blustream has since set up its world headquarters in Melbourne.

Director of product developments Toby Leader says: “Our new dedicated facilities have delivered us additional levels of support over our competitors in Oceania. Our aim at Blustream is to be on hand for all our partners when they need us and the new standard of training and support facilities is only enhancing our offering.”

Last year, the company hired Michael Shaw to start developing the commercial market for Blustream in Australia.

Michael says: “With the large international sporting event supply contracts that Blustream recently has won, the commercial channel in Australia is now very keen to see how Blustream can add value to many planned commercial projects.”

Blustream will launch 12 new products in the coming months specifically aimed at the commercial and market. It recently expanded into India in a move that signified the company’s ambitions.

Martyn adds: “Only time will tell where will be when we turn ten.”