soundproof:

I can get a meal at Burger King, or I can go to El Bulli.

Before I start I will admit that I've skipped many of the longer posts in this thread. What I have to sat I hope will change an opinion or two. I have experience of sourcing product in the former "Eastern Europe" and the "Far East". I can say that both can be fine suppliers - it depends upon the suppliers selected. My own Eastern European experience (and I'm there next week) is with my own company's plant and, after initial problems and speculation, I have to say they are a commited bunch that produce product that easily match that we produced in the UK. As for the Far East, think of computer motherboards, computer power supplies, LCD and Plasma panels. Yes I can source cheap and cheerful product but most consumer electronics have come from the Far (and Farer) East for many years - there are high quality (and not) suppliers there who can deliver to a specification.

The difference is in the design, specification and quality control of the manufacturer (where ever they may be). It is possible to design and sell high quality product that is manufactured in the Far East!

B&O in Denmark have world class, leading manufacturing facilities - but don't assume that this is necessarily in electronics - their core manufacturing competancy may well be their aluminium processing plant!

The future of B&O, for me, lies in their design (total system integration, industrial design (i.e. looks) and clever targetting of their efforts).

I would suggest totally digital media distribution (audio and video), match or better best picture in class (sourced hardware components as present, own DSP/Software), excel in audio (again digital throughout but concentrate on their core competancies - digital amps, acoustic lens' and stunning design).

As such I worry about the price differentials between B&O panel TV's and the best of the rest (Pioneer & Panasonic) but I can see the value of BL5's. The trick will be producing a coherent range whereby the future Lab3's, Lab9's and Lab5's are steps up the audio quality ladder while being substitutable within the same digital system. I will accept extortionate prices only when there are perceptable benefits!

Also members here have demonstrated the ability of an off the shelf MP3 player to outperform B&O's best remore control offering. There is a message to be had here - no-one wants to have to mess around confguring systems, it should be thoughtless and seamless.

I think the move to a high speed digital "masterlink" based system, mentioned elsewhere, capable of distributing audio and video will be the basis of such a system I have outlined above - the issue is when the protocol and matching hardware becomes available. It can't come too soon to bolster B&O's flagging reputation!

Here I am, sat listening to fabulous Bang & Olufsen products old and new reading todays headlines in disbelief.

What can I say? The wrong man has gone! yes, B&O has its problems.. lack of continuity in its product range [dependant how you look at it] but....... the figures say a lot. All markets grew with the exception of the UK..... come on.... does that NOT say something? There is NO UK Marketing Director..... lack of quality and experiance between a lot of the UK HO staff and a Managing Director that has seen considerably better times.

Should B&O really be in automotive? is Audi and Aston Martin the route to reviving past fortunes? is a partnership with Samsung really in its best interests? OR should B&O be sticking to what it does best? and that is manufactring and selling through its franchised stores TRUE Bang & Olufsen products that we all crave and desire?

We ALL want TRUE B&O products! not imitations, gimmics or copies of our competitors and they HAVE to work to current and demanded UK standards!

All this mention about a bad 6 to 8 months and outsourcing to revive the brand is bad news! [from routers/forbes etc]

Any new CEO will have to look at the whole picture..... and there will be UK casualties yet to come! Derek Mottershead may have revived the UK before.... but he is too old to make the much needed changes now! The UK needs someone who will deliver what we need! want! and crave!

it's amazing... engadget loves serenata...

http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/01/10/hands-on-with-samsung-and-bang-and-olufsens-svelte-serenata/

I post this link here, because I think that we must understand where B&O could be great... think different (!), make something that nobody does, you have not spend billions in d&r but they must put ideas... genius...

One of the problems on products getting obsolete is maybe the amount of different standards and formats we have today. Whether the majority of customers could afford B&O or not. I am not saying it's wrong to first spend money on researching formats and standards and see if they are to last more than 5 years. The problem comes when the other brands (some mentioned before) producing mostly short-life products have the ability to create a new product for every format.

Upon the introduction of a new format (let's say it's going last) some people wanting the latest tech may say B&O is lagging a bit behind.

BUT

In my opinion it's great that B&O has been careful with which formats to include in their systems. There has been much less formats in the past and it has probably been an easier decision with formats in the earlier days. But for example it was a good choice not make BETA recorder after VCR, even though beta is more proffesional format and would for that reason suit better for B&O, in theory. And as we saw, beta never reached the home user as VHS did. Just an opinion. Same carefullness (if you can call it that) paid off with minidisc, which actually met the users though didn't last very long as frequently used format.

Just thoughts, just thoughts. =)
 

Please new B&O ceo take a look to these guys in Sweden, what do you think about a partnership with them on the next mobile phone (your design, your speakers, their technology):

 http://www.neonode.com/en/on-stage/products/n2/introduction/watch-the-video/ 

Dear All:

Perhaps, the refocus into its core businesses implies no more questionable rebranded Samsung MP3 players and cell phones.  

Dario 

This is interesting and unexpected news.

But from the knowledge i have, Bang is due to emabark on a new structure through Europe, which will enable it to have more control.  It is also likely to boost earnings also.

I have had the privelage of being in the loop of Bang for some time. So i have had a greater understanding of its strategy and can understand where it is trying to head.

Number one is recognition - hence, BV8, BS6, BS3, Serene / Serenata, BL4.  These products are "lower cost" but enable "younger" people to establish themselves with the brand. People will argue that they shouldnt be doing this as it cheapens the brand and beleive me their are seniors within the business who agree here - but it does bring more awareness of the products to consumers - especially within magazines / articles etc.  It allows people considering other products to experience the Bang difference and also grow accustomed with the products.  It also allows sales through small items to help people work towards larger products and have a medium to communicate with as new product releases will be communicated to even smaller purchasers.  This is one of Bangs real weaknesses, having a very small recognition base.  I mean if you talk to some people, they have never heard of the 80 year old company.

Also, products like the BV8 which are'nt too bad for the $ comparison allow people who have had MX etc TV's and older to update to a simple, good looking LCD tv and have a simple to use interface and great sound with a good picture.  I realise the lack of connectivity is an issue - but no doubt will come in time.  We all know its made in asia, but at the end of the day is not too bad tv.  How many forum users have an MX, as some people simply cannot afford the huge money of some of the other sets. 

Also, once people experience the salespeople at Bang, with the quality of service, dedication of staff members and Bang environment that you are dealt with - most cannot go back to TV sharks at other retailers - who simply sell you what they get the biggest bonuses for. Bang sales teams overall are sincere.  They also stand behind their product.  Most owners of older Bang products can still receive parts and service. Imagine taking an old Sony, Sharp or Philips to some service agents these days.  They usually use this as an excuse to trade you up!

People in this forum carry on about having only very expensive product and forgetting the rest.  But i think what this means is concentrating on what they know best.  There are certainly points for this. The quality niggles of some products are software related and i know for a fact that this is being addressed with more resources being placed here currently.  QC is also being closely followed. Heads are rolling about this.

People also comment on the fact that Bangvisions are very expensive.  They always have been. There really is so much that goes into a Bangvision in terms of Panel quality, signal maintenace and other vision clear elements it sometimes makes me wonder byt the time mosta re partially hand assembled, shipped and sold that Bang actually makes a profit, as retailers often arent running on huge margins at all. I saw 60% rolled around here.  I dont think Torben would be dismissed if this was the case...in fact he would be hard to contact on his learjet and  travelling from meeting to meeting in his RR Phantom.  Some Bangvisions once you start to look at what actually goes in making these you can see where the $$$ goes. I mean just look at some of the stands! They weigh a tonne and are made out of genuine materials...who else does this? No one i can think of.  Have you actually taken a look at the picture of a Bangvision lately.  I dont think they are too bad.....go compare to some other sets.

I think you will see some truly inspirational products this year, some real stunning things.  They will excite and delight consumers.  I think you will also see futher integration. Watch this space.

I beleive the rolling of Torben has a lot to do with the 29% downgrade in stocks, based more or less on the US structure - most other countries Bang makes a profit and is one of the only companys in electronics to do so.  The US market struggles as recognition of the Bang brand is hopelessly small. The company is invisible next to Panasonic / Sony etc - it takes a long time to educate the public on why Bang is different and special and a lot of people just dont get it.

 Bang is a company of worldwide, less than 3000 employees. I think there are more people employed to make coffees at Sonys head office than this. The company is tiny and simply cant do things like Sony can. It cant and it wont. But it is trying to grow the best way it knows it can,  - how many members here would buy Bang if it was taken over by Samsung or Sony or another huge giant - this is a huge concern as everyone of the afrorementioned and a good deal more could buy Bang tomorrow without it even registering on its books.  The Bang brand is simply so well admired by others.

The fact that the US market will be struggling even further over the next few years due to various wars and credit companys failing wont help with consumer spending.  This cant help.

 A member mentioned that Bang dont seem to pay attention to this site.  You would be surprised at how much this site is perused by Bang.

I think a replacement is already lined up.  Torben did some great things, with a leagacy of a large range of products to leave.  Its going to be an interesting time ahead for the company - i think it will do just fine.  Once you own Bang, you never go back.