In an e-mail sent to its dealer network in Canada, Sonance, which handles the Sonance, iPORT, and James Loudspeakers brands, has confirmed that it will be moving from a distributor model to direct starting January 1, 2023.
Sonance products are currently distributed in Canada by BC-based Trends Electronics. Trends will continue to supply and support residential products within the Canadian market through to the end of 2022, after which Sonance will switch to a direct model. Starting January 1, 2023, Sonance, iPORT, and James Loudspeaker products will be available exclusively through the company’s direct authorized dealer programs. The commercial market, meanwhile, will continue to be served through the Canadian partner SC Media.
“In transitioning the market,” reads the e-mail, “we believe we can better serve our Canadian customers through competitive programs, pricing, relationships, and products. We pride ourselves on earning our customers’ business every day and look forward to having the opportunity to either continue, or to start to earn yours.”
Sonance says the change in business model was made in order to “fully honour” its four pillars of business: disappearing technology into architecture, creating authentic partnerships, a culture of innovation, and responsibility to “make the world a better place.”
Sonance says it will be in touch over the coming days and weeks with its dealer network to provide additional information and more specific details about local contact and support.
“We greatly appreciate our long-standing relationship with Trends Electronics,” the Sonance team says, “and thank them for their service over these many years.”
In a comment following the announcement, the team at Trends said: “We want to thank our incredible, loyal Canadian dealers for their immediate reaction of support for us regarding this matter. Our team is truly humbled by the quantity of e-mails, text messages, and phone calls received from so many of you.
“As we have often said,” the statement continues, “our relationships will last longer than any product we sell to you. 2023 marks an exciting new year for Trends, and we cannot wait to share the phenomenal new brands coming to our organization.”