Almo Professional A/V Finishes Fiscal Year Ahead of Business Forecast; Announces Growth Strategy

Philadelphia, PA — May 10, 2010 — Marking the completion of its first fiscal year in business, Almo Professional A/V, the nation’s fastest growing audiovisual distributor, today reported that, despite a down economy, the company finished 20 percent ahead of its forecasted business plan. As the newest addition to Almo Corporation, the division is pressing forward with an aggressive expansion strategy designed to benefit its vendors and channel partners.

“When we formed Almo Professional A/V, we sought to fill a void in the market for a distributor that offered not just inventory but a highly trained sales force, added value through educational programs for our resellers, and industry partners like InfoComm,� said Sam Taylor, executive vice president and COO for Almo Professional A/V. “Exceeding our forecasted expectations shows that we are on the right path. We are continuing to recruit the most talented professionals in this business. At the same time, we’re bringing our proficiency in digital signage into newly emerging business segments while adding major content distribution and rental and staging products to our line card.�

“From the outset, the professional A/V division has been a tremendous addition to Almo Corporation,� added Warren Chaiken, president and COO, Almo Corporation. “This group has undoubtedly helped strengthen and diversify our business. We are now able to offer our customers the best commercial display products available along with a team of professionals who know how add value and margin to every sale.�

According to a recent DisplaySearch report, distribution for large-format commercial displays grew 46 percent from Q4’08 to Q4’09. In addition, distribution accounted for nearly 60 percent of all commercial-grade public displays shipped in the U.S. in 2009.

“The data clearly shows the trend toward using distribution for commercial displays — more manufacturers are streamlining availability through distribution and more resellers, integrators and consultants are relying on distributors to access the products and services they need,â€? said Chris Connery, vice president, PC and Large Format Commercial Displays, DisplaySearch.
In its first year alone, Almo Professional A/V built a highly skilled sales team that is InfoComm-trained and DSCE-certified. To help partners succeed, the company added more than 30 of the industry’s top display and accessory product lines and collaborated with InfoComm International to offer CTS Renewal Units. In addition, Almo hosted more than 1200 attendees during three E4 AV traveling training and networking events, and launched a series of Educational Webinars and Streaming Tech Tips.

# # #

About Almo Professional A/V
Founded in 2009, Almo Professional A/V is the nation’s fastest growing distributor serving the needs of professional audiovisual integrators, dealers and consultants. With a highly skilled sales team, reseller education programs, 12 distribution centers across the U.S. and product lines specifically for the Pro A/V channel, customers can expect the full distribution experience on a local and a personal level.

The entire Almo Professional A/V sales team is Infocomm-trained, and the vast majority is CTS-certified. The team is also the first to complete the Digital Signage Certified Expert program. Almo Professional A/V teams with InfoComm International to offer certified courses that enable partners to stay ahead. At the same time, the division works with industry vendors to bring live and online product training opportunities directly to channel partners.

Almo Professional A/V distributes all the leading displays and peripherals, with new manufacturers and products being added each day. Markets served include bar and restaurant, corporate, digital signage, education, government, healthcare, home theater, hospitality, house of worship, and rental & staging.
Almo Professional A/V is a division of Almo Corp., the nation’s leading independent distributor of consumer electronics and major appliances. For more information about Almo Professional A/V, please call 410-560-2890 or go to www.almoproav.com. Almo Professional A/V can also be followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/almoproav.

*All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners.