Eight AV brands, including Contacta, have moved to distributor AVW Group while Airtame has chosen Midwich Australia, following the Exertis closure
Posted on 01 August 2022
Pro AV manufacturers have begun announcing new distribution arrangements in Australia, following the closure of an Exertis office in the country.
Assistive listening specialist Contacta, which previously worked with Exertis Pro AV Australia, this week announced a new partnership with distributor AVW Group in Australia and New Zealand.
Wireless presentation solution specialist Airtame, which was also previously with Exertis Pro AV in the country, announced a new agreement with Midwich Australia last month.
The highly urbanised Australian market is seen as having great potential for large AV technology projects. But it has proved challenging for many international vendors with high transport costs, even before the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking about the closure, a former partner of Exertis Pro AV Australia told AV Magazine: “There’s an algorithm that they apply to these things and if you’re not making X per cent per year, or not making X per cent per headcount, then it’s not seen as a viable business. It’s a shame because the brand has a global presence but it was barely recognised by anybody in our industry in Australia.”
An Exertis spokesperson told AV Magazine: “Our Australian office was a small operation and, at this time, our focus and investment is into other offices across our group.”
The Exertis presence in Australia began with its acquisition of Stampede in 2018. Stampede had previously acquired an Australian distributor Just Lamps in 2016, and Exertis then appointed Nick Cocks, formerly national sales manager of Hills AV, as general manager of Exertis Pro AV Australia in 2019.
Among the big industry names to announce agreements with Exertis Pro AV Australia were Christie Digital, Leyard and Planar, and Unilumin. The client list also included ATEN, Clear Touch, Hisense, Joan meeting room booking systems, Revolution Acoustics, Taiden and TrilbyTV.
Nick Cocks and Brad Eather, formerly at Exertis Pro AV, have now joined Australian distributor AVW Group, which operates in the AV, RF and broadcast markets. Following their move to AVW Group, the company has announced new partnerships with eight pro-AV clients: ATEN, Contacta, Fusion Signage, Hisense, Joan, Revolution, TrilbyTV and Unilumin.
Christie Digital, Clear Touch, Leyard and Planar, and Taiden have yet to make public announcements about any new distribution arrangements.
Source: AV Magazine