Fine Sounds SpA, owner of Sonus faber, Audio Research Corporation, and Wadia Digital, announced today that it has acquired 100 percent of SUMIKO, the Berkeley, CA based distribution company serving the high-end audio market. The current owners of SUMIKO, Donald Brody and John Hunter, will take seats on the board of Fine Sounds SpA.
SUMIKO will remain the exclusive North America distributor for all its existing lines, which include: Sonus faber (loudspeakers), REL (sub-bass systems), Pro-Ject Audio Systems (turntables and electronics), SME (turntables and tonearms), Sumiko Phono Cartridges and Okki Nokki (record cleaning machines). The REL and Wolf Cinema brands are still owned by Donald Brody and John Hunter.
While REL enters into an agreement to be distributed by Fine Sounds globally, Wolf Cinema will remain independent.
“Fine Sounds views both the USA and China as top priority markets direct distribution in China is currently managed through Sonus faber Asia and with the SUMIKO acquisition, we now realize direct distribution in North America,” said Mauro Grange, the new SUMIKO president. “Fine Sounds very much appreciates the results that SUMIKO has delivered in the past as Sonus faber’s distributor and look forward to working together to maximize the North American market potential. Our goal is to increase connection with, and responsiveness to, our largest markets.”
Donald Brody and John Hunter said, “We warmly welcome the alliance with Fine Sounds and look forward to the opportunities ahead. As a group we now have much more to offer the high-end specialty dealers who provide the finest in luxury audio to a discriminating clientele.”
