"Being a part of a global organization such as Harman allows Selenium to expand our distribution in a measured, strategic and well-supported manner," says Rodrigo Rihl Kniest, country manager, Harman Brazil. "In doing so, we dovetail well with other Harman Professional brand offerings and we provide European customers with greater choice, improved versatility and Selenium's special combination of innovation, quality and performance value. I am confident that Harman's product portfolio coupled with Selenium's positioning in Brazil and Latin America will facilitate new businesses opportunities in all sectors - automotive, consumer and professional."
Harman has ambitious growth plans for the Brazilian market. Since the acquisition of Selenium, the company has invested approximately US$100 million to expand its production capacity and establish a world-class research and development centre. Founded in 1958 in the south of Brazil, Selenium manufactures and sells audio solutions for the car audio aftermarket, musical and professional markets.
Commenting on the announcement, Michael MacDonald, Harman Professional, executive Vice president of marketing & sales noted, "The decision to acquire Selenium made perfect sense since the first visit to the meet with the people and see the facilities. Now as we debut the brand and product family to our European distribution partners I am more confident than ever that Selenium will be a great success as part of the Harman Professional portfolio of brands.
" Looking forward to the upcoming Olympic Games and the World Cup, which will both be held in Brazil, I am equally excited that Selenium will be a local flagship for the Harman Professional Division from a sales, marketing and product localization perspective."
(Jim Evans)
