The force behind this new operation is Kjetil Laukholm who has been supporting sales in Sweden for some time now. The move to become the full distributor was a logical conclusion, given his experience with the Merging brand. He has been a Pyramix user since the days of Version 3 and has a long experience of recording all types of music for major labels such as EMI and Sony. He has also recorded orchestral scores for games like Spiderman and Assassin's Creed.
Kjetil will be working with other local Pyramix and Ovation specialists to ensure that regional and relevant product expertise is being cared for. Dealers are also being appointed to promote the Networked Audio Interfaces to a wider market.
Shortly after ISE 2015, the South Africa distribution was switched to PENMAC, a company with particular expertise in live events and A/V installations. This company was also well known to Merging because of Ovation sales that had been made with Dataton's WATCHOUT Multi Display System. Headed up by Malcolm Finlay, PENMAC's South African roots have led them across their country, but they have also gained extensive international experience supplying compelling audiovisual solutions to satisfied clients. Established in 1998 and primarily supplying multi-track audio recording and production solutions, their expertise now also incorporates multi-screen visual productions.
The close integration of Merging products with PENMAC's visual platforms ensures a solid synergistic solution for projects requiring very high definition visual content coupled with very high definition audio delivery all perfectly synchronized into one control platform. This strategy reflects the global increase in sophisticated and immersive spectaculars and events and perfectly mirrors one of the main directions that Merging has been following with its Ovation Audio Events Sequencer. PENMAC has also close contact with major broadcasters in the region and is able to promote the full range of Merging products to this vertical.
Kjetil Laukholm commented, "My focus is to improve the responsiveness and technical support for Merging customers in Sweden. My colleagues and I have been customers for many years so we know what is needed in today's competitive market."
Malcolm Finlay concludes, "We started with Ovation without really understanding what else Merging could offer. Now we know, we feel confident we can significantly expand the user base for Merging in South Africa. They have some great products at a variety of price points that appeal to our client base."
(Jim Evans)
