Daniel J SaitSavant Systems Europe, a wholly owned division of RGB Communications, is now responsible for the distribution and support of the Savant home automation brand across Europe.
The move, announced at a special event in central London, has been prompted by the success delivered by RGB Communications in the UK and Southern Irish markets and the expanding popularity and demand for the Savant platform across Europe.
J.C. Murphy, executive VP, global sales at Savant Systems, was on hand to lend his support and endorsement for the move to set up Savant Systems Europe, confident RGB Communications would continue to deliver impressive results.
J.C. said: “Partnering with RGB gives us the perfect platform to expand into Europe and truly offers the kind of sales, technical and training support that our European dealers require to grow. We are enthused by the possibilities that this partnership brings and believe that Savant certified installers and, ultimately, users across Europe will see enormous benefits.”
The new division includes a strong team made up of custom install market experts. The team is led by Caroline Britt, RGB Communications MD, a key member of the management team for 14 years.
Caroline said: “This is a very exciting time for us and our new channel partners across Europe. We are relishing the opportunity and challenges facing us. Our new partners across Europe will now have access to what we believe is the future of control, whilst benefiting from the support and technical back-up of a very experienced team.”
Andy Atwell, will bring his 20 years of experience in the custom install trade to his role of European sales director and added: “We want to offer the best possible sales and technical service to our dealers, with as strong a focus on business development with architects, contractors and M&E consultants.”
Savant System Europe will also deliver an extensive technical training program based at the UK offices of RGB Communications, together with state-of-the-art showroom facilities in West London, with the intention to offer similar facilities and services throughout mainland Europe in the near future. The team also includes Neil Howes, who with 10 years of home automation experience, will serve as UK sales director.
Savant Smart Series Debuts
Savant Systems Europe also gave a presentation on the new Smart Series to an engaged audience of custom installers who were able to discover more about this new affordable addition to the Savant family. With a starting price for the end user beginning at as little as just under £1,600 (plus VAT) the system is based around the Linux-based Savant Smart host, controller, universal remote and a series of A/V switches and matrix products.
Installers were able to learn about the special price promotions available on demonstration models and reduced pricing for systems to be fitted into installers own properties.
J.C. explained the Savant Smart Series was created to offer installers a way to target the ‘middle market’ custom install customer, cited as a huge potential growth area as custom install moves more into the mainstream as Savant predicts will happen in the coming years.
RGB Communications will be on hand to tell custom installer more at Essential Install Live! South 2014 on stands 25 and 28.