DEI Holdings

DEI Holdings is the US parent company of several brands of consumer audio electronics and vehicle security/remote start systems. DEI Holdings is owned by New York City and Boston-based private equity firm Charlesbank Capital Partners.

DEI Holdings
TypePrivate
FoundedVista, California, U.S. (2005)
FoundersDarrell and Kathy Issa
HeadquartersOne Viper Way, Suite C
Vista, California, US
Key people
Kevin Duffy, CEO
ProductsConsumer audio/video, Speakers, Vehicle security/remote access
Subsidiaries
Websitewww.soundunited.com

History

The company that became DEI Holdings was founded by future US Representative Darrell Issa and his wife Kathy in 1982 as Directed Electronics, with Darrell Issa serving as the first CEO.[1] In 2000, Darrell Issa was elected to the House of Representatives, and Jim Minarik replaced him as CEO.[2]

In 2004, the firm bought speaker company Definitive Technology;[3] in 2006, it bought Polk Audio.[4]

In 2008, the companies adapted a holding company strategy, and their parent became DEI Holdings, Inc.[5]

In 2011, the company was bought by private equity firm Charlesbank Capital Partners.[6]

In April 2013, the company combined Polk, Definitive Technology and the Boom Movement brands into a new division called Sound United.[3]

In August 2016, Kevin Duffy was named the company's CEO, replacing retiring CEO Jim Minarik.[7]

In March 2017, the Sound United audio division acquired YS consumer electronics company D+M Group, whose brands included Denon, HEOS by Denon, Marantz and Boston Acoustics. At the time, D+M was the world's largest supplier of audio/video receivers.[8]

In October 2020 Sound United LLC acquired Bowers & Wilkins.[9]

In March 2021 Sound United LLC acquired Australia's leading importer and distributor of home entertainment systems QualiFi Pty Ltd. QualiFi Pty Ltd was the Australian importer and distributor for Blustream, Denon, Elan, Forte, Furman, HEOS, Jamo, Klipsch, Marantz, Niles, Stealth Acoustics, Sunfire, Thorens and Xantech brands of high-quality Home Entertainment components and systems. QualiFi was based in Mount Waverley, Victoria and incorporates a service department for the servicing and repair of all products distributed by them.[10]

In April 2022 Sound United was acquired by Masimo. [11]

Brands

DEI's former Sound United audio electronics division became the consumer audio part of Masimo including Denon, Marantz, Boston Acoustics, HEOS by Denon (under D+M Group), Polk Audio, Definitive Technology and Bowers & Wilkins.[12]

References
  1. "Directed Electronics starts out selling vehicle security, grows to include audio systems". sandiegouniontribune.com. 2004-11-13. Retrieved 2017-03-15.
  2. "CEO of Directed's Parent Retires". ceooutlook.com. 2016-02-04. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  3. "DEI Launches Sound United Division". dealerscope.com. 2013-04-04. Archived from the original on 2019-08-26. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  4. "Private Equity Firm Ups Offer for Vista's DEI Holdings". sandiegouniontribune.com. 2011-06-20. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  5. "DEI Holdings promotes officers". sandiegouniontribune.com. 2011-10-27. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  6. "Robert Struble Appointed CEO of Vista-Based Directed". sdbj.com. 2017-03-20. Retrieved 2017-04-05.
  7. "Duffy Named CEO of DEI Holdings Inc". sdbj.com. 2016-08-28. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  8. "Sound United Snaps Up D+M Group, Owner Of Denon, Marantz And Boston Acoustics Audio Brands". forbes.com. 2017-03-01. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  9. "Sound United Finalizes Acquisition of Bowers & Wilkins". 2020-10-09. Retrieved 2020-11-24.
  10. "SOUND UNITED FINALISES QUALIFI ACQUISITION". 2020-10-09. Retrieved 2020-11-24.
  11. "Masimo Closes Acquisition of Sound United". www.soundunited.com. Retrieved 2022-11-20.
  12. "Masimo Consumer Audio". www.masimo.com. Retrieved 2022-11-20.
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