"Finalists in the Engineering and Design category apply local knowledge and skill to reach around the world with their work," explains Darien Louie, executive director of the East Bay EDA. "Meyer Sound is well-known as a global pioneer in advanced sound technologies. The independent industry judges were particularly impressed that Meyer Sound maintains all production at its Berkeley facility, creating nearly 300 local manufacturing and engineering jobs."
Headquartered in Berkeley, Calif., Meyer Sound is one of a handful of professional audio companies that manufacture in the US. Since its founding in 1979, the company's footprint has grown from one building to six, totalling close to 200,000sq.ft of campus space. Many of the first users of Meyer Sound technology are in the East Bay. For example, Zellerbach Hall implemented the first Constellation acoustic system for its Centennial gala, UC Berkeley's Memorial Stadium installed the first CAL column array loudspeaker system, and the world's first restaurant active acoustic system can be found at Berkeley's Comal.
"The East Bay's innovative spirit and unique mixture of talents and cultures have given us many wonderful opportunities to work with some of the most exciting thought-leaders in their fields," says Helen Meyer. "From scientists to musicians, the level of cross-industry collaboration is truly unique to the East Bay, and has helped us build many successful products that are heard around the world. We are proud to be an East Bay company and grateful for award organizers' recognition."
The East Bay Innovation Awards announced winners in nine categories, selected from more than 100 total entries. They include Kaiser Permanente, Youth Radio, Boehringer Ingleheim, Soraa, Techbridge, Meyer Sound, Back to the Roots, Aspera, and Children's Hospital and Research Center Oakland. The awards were presented by the EDA, in association with the San Francisco Business Times.
(Jim Evans)
