Yamaha Corporation Japan has announced the formation of a new company based in the US that will devote its business solely to commercial audio and systems integration. The new company will be referred to as Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc. ( YCAS ) with Yoshi Doi as its president. Doi will continue as president of Yamaha Corporation of America. Larry Italia has been appointed vice president and general manager of the new company. Official operations begin with the start of Yamaha fiscal year April 1, 2006. As part of this new venture, the company will be responsible for commercial audio sales in Canada. Yamaha commercial audio staff in Canada will remain in place and report to YCAS, headquartered in Buena Park, CA.
“The Yamaha commercial audio business has experienced tremendous growth over the past four to five years,” states Doi. “Yamaha Corporation is committed to the commercial audio market and understands that this segment is quite unique to that of the traditional musical instrument business and, therefore, determined to invest more heavily in the North American market.”
“The Canadian market place along with our US customers will appreciate the benefits of this newly formed company as we provide a more streamlined approach to their business,” says newly appointed VP/GM, Italia. “Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc. will provide dedicated commercial audio technical and customer service departments, an on-site research and development and product training center, and systems engineering facilities along with test and measurement labs for speakers including the NEXO product line which we will continue to distribute in the United States.”
The company will also distribute NEXO products in Canada, and a significant expansion of staff, marketing resources, warehouse facilities, inventory control, operational capabilities, and customer service will be realized at the new corporate headquarters in order to focus on all commercial audio market segments, Italia notes. The new company will reside on the same Southern California campus as Yamaha Corporation of America and Yamaha Electronics Corporation, but in a separate building.