“It’s really a matter of leveraging strong, well-respected brands,” Stan Matysiak tells smartHOME, about the announcement earlier this month in which Samsung Electronics America Inc. and AIN Group/GE Home Technologies entered into a partnership in which Samsung is the primary home theater systems vendor for AIN Group/GE Home Technologies. Samsung now offers its HDTVs and home theater systems products and accessories to AIN Group dealers through primary distributor, D&H Distributing Company. 
 
Matysiak, president of AIN Group, believes the move is just another important step to position his dealers as a one-stop source of products and services of interest to the new home buyer seeking quality based on brand names familiar to consumers. David Carter, vice president of sales, Samsung Electronics America, agrees. “The AIN Group delivers a paramount product offering to their dealer network and we are proud to be a partner.” The agreement will also help extend an additional avenue of business for D&H, according to John Alifano, manager of D&H’s home entertainment division.

Authorized Integrators Network (AIN), points out Matysiak, assists in what has become a universal demand in the residential and commercial marketplaces: integration of the newest, most consumer-demanded products plus state-of-art low voltage installation and service.

Matysiak adds that his firm, as compared to some others, spends much time with builders to cement relationships helpful to dealers. Closing the loop, he sees the Samsung home theater agreement as another indication that “everyone gains from handling brands that new home buyers know, love and trust.” AIN already “leverages up” GE Home Technologies, which takes low-voltage systems and brings them to builders in a single package or through one source. The total approach now includes home theater, multi-room audio, audio/video components, PC networking, central vacuum, home security, intercom, video surveillance and warranty service plans.

The AIN/GE Home Technologies executive hints to smartHOME that there may be future relationships with other GE units involving water, lighting and appliances as well as consumer financing.