The company increased market share across all regions in fiscal year ending 31 March 2010. In what the company describes as a “consolidation” of its brand portfolio, D&M is continuing its investment of resources in core brands Denon, Marantz, McIntosh and Boston Acoustics, but has discontinued Escient Vision; Escient’s technologies and R&D resources are to be assimilated within D&M’s core brands.
D&M Europe will continue to develop and market the Escient Zone CI integrated home control system, available exclusively through DMi. The ongoing focus on Zone is indicated by the recent launch of the new Zone network HD media player and DIN Rail-lighting system.
Moving forward, DMi will provide solutions from the key D&M brands in combination with the Escient Zone control system and matching accessories for the custom installation market. Full service and support will also be provided to installers and end-users for the installed Escient Vision base, with DMi set to issue an update regarding an extension of the platform’s current functionality in the near-future.
Invited to consider R&D priorities for the rest of 2010, DMi brand director Bert Kiggen (pictured) told IE Residential: “Going forward, the priority will be the implementation of networking and streaming technologies across an ever-wider range of products from Denon and Marantz, and the intuitive operation of these capabilities, enabling their support within Zone. Home networking is a hot item and D&M will be at the forefront of implementing networked media management and service, both in CE products and total home solution systems.”
