Maxxsonics USA, the parent and manufacturer of Hifonics, Crunch, and Autotek mobile audio sound systems, has announced that it has acquired the MB Quart brand and its speaker manufacturing facility in Obrigheim, Germany.
The announcement was made today by Alden Stiefel, president and CEO of Maxxsonics USA: “The acquisition of MB Quart is a strategic purchase that enables Maxxsonics to extend its mobile auto-sound offerings to a wider distribution and consumer base, facilitates our distribution and sales plan globally of Maxxsonics product, and provides us a launch pad into the home, multi-media, and personal audio segments of the consumer electronics industry.”
The acquisition ensures that MB Quart GmbH is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Maxxsonics Europe.
Under a new Maxxsonics Europe, Maxxsonics will work with the MB Quart Germany division and increase its manufacturing prowess, enrich the product development and technology team, and utilize the Obrigheim facility to its greatest potential.
“Maxxsonics will capitalize on the MB Quart philosophy and utilize its unique position in the market place,” states Stiefel. “We will maintain MBQ’s German manufacturing facility, and cross-pollinate it with other Maxxsonics’ speaker product. The world appreciates a truly German design and hand built craftsmanship. Yes, the product costs more, but so does a BMW, MB Quart is a testament to quality and superior sound.”
Maxxsonics will also capitalize on the MB Quart brand name by enhancing an already strong headphone and headset category, rejuvenating the MB Quart home audio segment, and entering the competitive multi-media speaker sector.
“Our first priority is to stabilize MB Quart’s mobile audio efforts. MB Quart will recapture its market leading position with the car audio enthusiast through superior product design and excellent service, globally,” adds Stiefel. “We attribute Maxxsonics USA’s growth and success to team management. MB Quart will be no different. There is no plan to micro manage the Obrigheim facility. Instead, we anticipate a cross flow of information and a global approach that enhances all our brands.
In the U.S.A., Maxxsonics will maintain the MB Quart distribution model.
“ We will continue to service the mobile audio specialty retailer in the domestic market,” explains Stiefel. “Maxxsonics will maintain separate sales forces for each brand, separate marketing strategies and distribution schemes, and capitalize on Maxxsonics’ operations and customer service infra-structure located in Lake Zurich, Illinois.”
-------------------- Team Image Dynamics/Zapco/Werewolf/JK Lab Team Kinetik Sick Bastard Audio SQ Who feels it knows it Posts: 7835 | From: Charlotte,NC USA | Registered: May 1999
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-------------------- 2006 IDBL 2ND PLACE WORLD FINALS 2008 World Records TBA LiL Scrappy The Louddest Honda 600 in The World! www.quadaudio.net Posts: 1629 | From: Palm Springs,CA | Registered: May 2002
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posted
They did but Rockford is having a lot of problems right now so there selling off things to stay afloat
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"Ever been Beat by a Girl?" 2005 4th Place Street A World Finals 153.2 2006 World Finals Street A well, better luck next year 2007 1st Place Street A US Champion 156.7 2007 2nd Place Street A World Finals 156.8 Posts: 426 | From: West Coast | Registered: Feb 2005
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posted
Damnnnnnnn, Maxxsonics is putting the industry on lock
-------------------- OHIO GENERATOR ALTERNATORS TEAM CACTUS SOUNDS TEAM BUDWEISER-2006 SS1-2Champions CLUB 664 FOUNDER/PRESIDENT 2nd Place 2004 USACI Modified 901-1800 World Finals 159.7 2005 Former Street Max 1-2 World Record Holder 2005 DB Drag Finals SM 1-2- 3rd 2005 USACI Finals Mod 901-1800- World Champion 2005 IASCA World Finals Adv.1- 2nd Posts: 1440 | From: Springfield, MO | Registered: Sep 2004
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Yep....it's all good. Now we can take a shot at some SQ events. Know of any good SQ competitors that may be interested?
Posts: 1651 | From: Chicago | Registered: Jun 2005
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^^^^^^^Just like I said earlier, Maxxsonics is taking over everything
-------------------- OHIO GENERATOR ALTERNATORS TEAM CACTUS SOUNDS TEAM BUDWEISER-2006 SS1-2Champions CLUB 664 FOUNDER/PRESIDENT 2nd Place 2004 USACI Modified 901-1800 World Finals 159.7 2005 Former Street Max 1-2 World Record Holder 2005 DB Drag Finals SM 1-2- 3rd 2005 USACI Finals Mod 901-1800- World Champion 2005 IASCA World Finals Adv.1- 2nd Posts: 1440 | From: Springfield, MO | Registered: Sep 2004
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quote: They did but Rockford is having a lot of problems right now so there selling off things to stay afloat
You have no idea what you are talking about. We walked away from a bad situation plain and simple. To imply that we are trying to stay afloat is laughable, we still control a huge share of the aftermarket and are only getting stronger in OEM.
On another note, good luck with Quart you will need it...
Posts: 1674 | From: Michigan | Registered: Nov 2002
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quote: They did but Rockford is having a lot of problems right now so there selling off things to stay afloat
You have no idea what you are talking about. We walked away from a bad situation plain and simple. To imply that we are trying to stay afloat is laughable, we still control a huge share of the aftermarket and are only getting stronger in OEM.
On another note, good luck with Quart you will need it...
posted
When big name brands like Rockford starts showing up in cars from the factory, doesn't that take business away from the Rockford dealers who would like to sell OEM upgrade speakers and subs?
Rockford OEM hurts there independant dealers doesn't it? Good OEM products hurt great aftermarket product sales right?
Look at the aftermarket alarm and starter business as an example. When a big aftermarket company sells OEM, the aftermarket business will nearly dry up.
Posts: 216 | From: Chi Town | Registered: Feb 2005
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Quality OEM and factory upgradable systems are the future. OEM has spent a good deal of time and money on applications that discourage the use of aftermarket products. The partnering of OEM and aftermarket companies should translate to new vehicles that are upgradable, quite the opposite from what we have been seeing from the automakers as of late.
Posts: 1674 | From: Michigan | Registered: Nov 2002
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Speakers are always upgradable despite what the OEM industry does. They're generally round, standard sizes and no super duper technology to power them unlike other aftermarket products such as head units, alarms and starters. These are difficult because the vehicles electronics are getting more complicated. Supplying audio signal to speakers is not new or difficult technology. The OEM guys don't do anything to make it difficult to replace speakers. The better the OEM speakers, the less the need for upgrade right?
If my OEM system sounds good, why upgrade? I think maybe your helping them elliminate the need for upgrades correct? If they have Rockford OEM speakers, why upgrade?
Posts: 216 | From: Chi Town | Registered: Feb 2005
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I'm not trying to bust your ba_ _s and I don't expect a reply to the above wondering thoughts. I understand why Rockford is doing what they're doing. OEM is big business and most companies would like the chance. There's good money in it and the volume is tremendous. Everyone knows what a fantastic job Rockford has done for our industry and it's no secret that they have gone through a tough time but all aftermarket companies have gone through this at one time or another and some companies have several times. Rockford will live through this of course even when other companies have failed. Your gonna take a few jabs from time to time but please don't take it personal.
Posts: 216 | From: Chi Town | Registered: Feb 2005
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Rockfords sales are way down, We sell rockford so i have some insight as to whats going on, look at what happend to there stock, I know a few other owners that lost there ass to rockford stock, its worth almost nothing.,Rockford yes has done a lot for the industry but to say there not having issues is wrong,I supported them for some time, selling rockfors product and still do, punch/power/q-logic boxes/mq quart speaker,lighting audio amps ,speakers and inter connects, hell thats all rockford corp, so WCA is not bashing , ANA just stated a fact "There having finacial problems" Thats the bottom line
-------------------- WWW.DCSOUNDLAB.COM Team Hifonics Voted 2004 DB Drag Rookie of the year 2004 World Finals 3rd place finish SS1-2NW 2005 World Finals 4th place finish SS1-2NW 2006 World Finals 3rd place finish SS3-4 2006 Super Street DeathMatch Participant 2007 Super Street 3-4 163.1 with 2 amps 2007 West Coast SS3-4 Champion Posts: 2746 | From: West Coast | Registered: Nov 2003
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posted
Issues yes, pawning things off to stay in business, far from it. That was my point. Anyhow please continue with the thread I don't want to make this an RF thing as it's a Maxxsonics thing. I wish them nothing but luck turning Quart around. I am a fan from way back and would hate to see it vanish or become something it wasn't.
Maxxsonics now owns MBQ completely which was a differant situation then with Rockford.
I'm sure that MBQ will continue to have great success. They only had difficulties marketing there products here but I think that with what we've done with Crunch, Hifonics and Autotek, we should do just as well if not better with MBQ.
MBQ is and always was very popular all around the world and the US was just handled differantly then our future plans will call for.
You will all see a great amount of marketing, customer service and technical support for this line and if we do our jobs right, it will be a tremendously profitable product for our dealers.
It's a great name, a great product and needs nothing more then a great direction.
With the superior design and engineering prowess of MBQ, the rest of our speaker lines will also benefit tremendously.
We hope you will support MBQ as well as you have all of our brands.
Look out 2006!
Posts: 1651 | From: Chicago | Registered: Jun 2005
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Jeff Smith ran Quart in his cars...still does. Can't get any bigger than that right now. And since Mitek dropped the competition teams, Jeff might be in the market for new sponsors.
-------------------- Team Image Dynamics/Zapco/Werewolf/JK Lab Team Kinetik Sick Bastard Audio SQ Who feels it knows it Posts: 7835 | From: Charlotte,NC USA | Registered: May 1999
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Don't take any of what is said personally or as any form of slam to Rockford. Rockford is and always will be a great company. You're always welcome to jump in my posts any time. I don't mind criticism or unfavorable reviews or comments.
You can probably tell that the Maxxsonics guys are passionate about the team, products and company and we love the fact that they support us whole heartedly.
We've always been kinda the underdog guys.
We had quite a big whole to climb out of when we bought Hifonics and Crunch a few years back but most know we've done a pretty good job so far.
Your also welcome to e-mail or call any time. johns@maxxsonics.com (866) 636-6299
Posts: 1651 | From: Chicago | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
Most people don't know it but we built the Crunch woofers back in the day. Then they came out with the slogan "Crunch the Punch" LOL. So there is more than one dotted line between these companies.
Posts: 1674 | From: Michigan | Registered: Nov 2002
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John, Jeff hangs out on the Carsound forums some and he just changed shops...so I'm not exactly sure of his new phone number. However if you made a post over on Carsound in the SLAP and Other SQ Forum about expanding the team, I'm sure you might get a few people interested. But right now, Jeff is one of the biggest names in SQ (and a helluva guy to boot). Might be a great way and name for you to get to expand the team...and he's already a big Quart fan/competitior to start with.
-------------------- Team Image Dynamics/Zapco/Werewolf/JK Lab Team Kinetik Sick Bastard Audio SQ Who feels it knows it Posts: 7835 | From: Charlotte,NC USA | Registered: May 1999
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