Meyer Sound's expansion plans for its operations in Germany is another welcome indicator that the German economy is easing intro better shape after a long time in the doldrums. It has not been without its problems - social and economic - since the heady days of re-unification but it's looking healthy now. And Meyer can expect stiff competition for business from home-grown products - Kling & Freitag has finally entered the line array market, for example, while HK Audio reports excellent business for its increasingly popular COHEDRA system.The rise and rise of the 'boutique hotel' continues, offering a niche market for specialist installers and integrators. Stockholm's Hotel Rival recently installed a new networked Yamaha-based sound system with all the trimmings. By all accounts it sounds pretty good. Not surprising really, the co-owner of the hotel is Benny Andersson of ABBA fame.
The Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention 2008 takes place in Miami Beach, 10-13 March. Despite some uncertainty in the world capital markets, the cruise industry as a business sector is booming. With an order book of 37 cruise liners valued at more than $22 billion set for delivery by 2012, the industry is growing at a pace last seen around the turn of the century, suggest the convention organisers CMP. All good news for our industries.
(Jim Evans)
