Altec Lansing Looks West and Opens New Office in San Diego, Focuses on Audio Solutions and Emerging Technologies

SAN DIEGO, July 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, audio innovator Altec Lansing LLC announced the opening of its new West Coast office, located in San Diego, California, as part of the Company's continued commitment to create innovative products that deliver a high quality audio experience to customers. Additionally, Altec Lansing is pleased to announce the executive team additions of Brendon Stead and Paul Stacey to provide strategic leadership.

Altec Lansing's move marks a return of Altec Lansing to its Southern California roots, as the Company was founded 75 years ago in the Los Angeles basin, providing audio solutions to film studios and other professional audio customers. The relocation enhances Altec Lansing's West Coast presence with offices in the Sorrento Valley, home to major technology and wireless companies.  The Company will continue to maintain warehousing and logistics capabilities on the East Coast of the U.S. as well as its office footprints in Sydney, the Netherlands, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Southlake, Texas.

"In San Diego, we know Altec Lansing can continue to innovate aggressively in both products and software by tapping deep talent pools in the wireless and networking industries," said George Stelling, President and COO of Altec Lansing. "As music migrates to the cloud and as consumers readily adopt Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and other connected solutions for audio, we feel that our San Diego footprint will play a critical role in future growth in both our audio solutions and technology licensing businesses."

Altec Lansing was acquired by Prophet Equity LP, a Southlake, Texas, private equity firm in late 2009, and has since made several critical technology and audio investments, including the acquisition of Sydney, Australia based Avega Systems in 2010. Now integrated with Altec Lansing, Avega Systems software and wireless audio capability is a critical enabling technology for networked compliant whole-home audio and media-rich entertainment solutions. Altec Lansing is poised to integrate the DNLA software offering into its product line, which includes a wide range of audio systems for personal, home, and office use. In addition to offering wireless networking solutions, Altec Lansing will be launching new products using Apple's AirPlay technology later this calendar year.

As an innovator in audio products, Altec Lansing has continued to emphasize audio quality in its core product line-up, which includes speaker offerings in computer audio, docking solutions for smartphones, portable audio players and tablets, as well as headphones. This core competence in sound quality excellence has led to an amazing connection with consumers who will not compromise on audio quality when integrating a device into their lifestyle.

Executive Additions

In addition to its West Coast office opening, Altec Lansing also announced new additions to its executive team. Specifically, Brendon Stead joins Altec Lansing as VP, Product Management and Engineering, and Paul Stacey joins Altec Lansing as Chief Financial Officer and VP, Operations. Both Mr. Stead and Mr. Stacey will serve on Altec Lansing's Board of Directors, effective immediately.

Formerly a General Manager and Vice President with Harman International and Labtec, Brendon Stead brings a wealth of industry knowledge and capability to Altec Lansing as the Company continues to expand its offerings in wireless, headphones, docking, and computer audio. Paul Stacey, formerly with Enesco LLC, Ricoh Americas Corporation, and Price Waterhouse, brings significant experience in managing finance, operations, and supply chains in global business that service retail, consumers, and businesses. Both Mr. Stead and Mr. Stacey will be based out of the new San Diego office.

"We are thrilled to add high caliber leaders like Brendon Stead and Paul Stacey to Altec Lansing's leadership team," commented Ross Gatlin, Altec Lansing's CEO. "We know that our success is based on delivering compelling products and managing our business globally in a rigorous and profitable way. Both Brendon and Paul will help us drive success in many critical areas in our business at this important time in the audio industry."

About Altec Lansing

For more than 70 years, Altec Lansing has been shaping the history of sound delivery by producing exceptional speakers with legendary acoustics, while catering to the consumer who won't compromise sound quality. The company boasts a unique history of innovation that includes the introduction of the first "talkie" film speakers, the first set of desktop computer speakers, and the first iPod docking station. Always entrenched in the music community, Altec Lansing continues to be a first choice for musicians and audiophiles alike. Altec Lansing is an American company with offices in San Diego, CA and Milford, PA. For more information or to purchase products, visit www.alteclansing.com.

Connect with the Altec Lansing team on the following sites:
http://www.facebook.com/AltecLansingOfficial
http://twitter.com/AltecLansing
http://www.flickr.com/AltecLansingOfficial
http://www.youtube.com/AltecLive

Altec Lansing's new San Diego office is located at:
Sorrento South Corporate Center
9330 Scranton Road, Suite 600
San Diego, CA 92121

SOURCE Altec Lansing