Harman Consumer America Implements Powerful New Retail Distribution Strategy

Harman Consumer Inc., a division of Harman International Industries, Incorporated, today announced a direct-to-retailer business model to optimize the company’s product distribution, increase profitability for dealers and deliver the preeminent consumer experience in retail electronics.

Harman will focus its attention exclusively on direct-to-retail partnerships, eliminating the need for independent distributors, providing a more streamlined, efficient and effective engagement with customers and consumers. Effective January 1, this new distribution strategy will create more targeted and powerful retail partnerships, support Harman’s premium brand equity and ensure a richer in-store consumer shopping experience.

"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.”

The new distribution model will provide Harman’s retail partners greater reliability and profitability going forward, as well as significantly increased interaction and planning with the Harman Consumer team.

Harman Consumer has hired two new sales executives to steward the strategy. Lyle Smith will serve as director of sales, Western Region, and comes with 19 years of consumer electronics experience. He was most recently vice president of sales for the western U.S. and Canada regions for Klipsch Group, Inc. Todd Bogart will serve as director of sales, Eastern Region, and joins HCA with 25 years of sales experience from companies such as Bose, Logitech and SIRIUS XM Radio. Smith and Bogart will report to Foster.

"Our vision for the future of Harman’s consumer brands is at the heart of this new model,” Foster said. "This powerful new strategy mirrors Harman Consumer’s continued success in Europe and is a significant departure from what many companies are doing in the CE space, at the expense of their brands and the consumer’s experience. We will continue to support Harman’s brands as best in category, while proactively taking control of our distribution channels so that we can more effectively serve our customers.”

About Harman International

Harman International Industries, Incorporated (www.harman.com), designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment products for the automotive, consumer and professional markets. Harman International maintains a strong presence in the Americas, Europe and Asia, and employs more than 9,500 people worldwide. The Harman International family of brands includes AKG, Audioaccess, Becker, BSS, Crown, dbx, DigiTech, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon, Mark Levinson, Revel, QNX, Soundcraft and Studer. Harman International’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "NYSE: HAR.”