Editor’s Note: Our editors published this exclusive interview with ADI president Rob Aarnes on July 31, 2025. We will make updates and additions as news warrants.
Yesterday, Commercial Integrator broke the news that Resideo Technologies, Inc., intends to separate its ADI Global Distribution business through a tax-free spin-off to Resideo shareholders. The result of this is that ADI, will become an independent public company.
In light of this important news, Commercial Integrator sought out Rob Aarnes, president of ADI, for an exclusive interview. During this conversation, Aarnes provides fresh insight into how this move will affect ADI’s customers, particularly those in the integrator channel. Moreover, he offers hints at the company’s ongoing acquisition strategy and what leadership might be looking for. Finally, he sheds light on ADI’s top strategic goal over the next one to two years.
You won’t find these exclusive comments anywhere else. So, make sure to check out this interview with Rob Aarnes from ADI so you understand not only the facts but also the business implications.
Commercial Integrator: For ADI Global Distribution’s customers, in particular those in the integrator channel, what changes, if any, should they expect?
Rob Aarnes: For now, it’s business as usual. Our customers can continue leveraging the advantages of the ADI and Snap One integration including access to our expanding portfolio and more brands, the convenience of our combined store locations, a more streamlined online shopping experience, and the trusted support and service our teams deliver every day.
Looking ahead, ADI customers can expect continued consistency and forward momentum. As a standalone company, we will be backed by dedicated operational and financial resources and guided by a sharper strategic focus. Our priorities remain clear: accelerate our product roadmap, broaden our portfolio, enhance the customer experience through a wider physical footprint and smarter digital tools, and expand our service offerings – all with the goal of helping our customers grow and succeed.
Commercial Integrator: What kinds of M&A opportunities, in terms of categories, core competencies, etc., might be most appealing to a standalone ADI organization? Are there “gaps” you’re looking to fill, Rob?
Rob Aarnes: As part of our strategic plan, we identified the product categories where we see the most growth opportunities for ADI and our customers, including residential AV, professional AV and data communications. And we have expanded our offerings across these areas, both organically and through targeted M&A. Since 2020, the company has made several acquisitions aligned with this strategy, most recently being the Snap One acquisition.
This strategy will continue. As an independent public company, working with our board, we believe we will have increased financial flexibility to pursue selective M&A opportunities that align with our growth priorities. We expect to focus on opportunities that complement our existing strengths and round out our portfolio, particularly where we can accelerate innovation, drive operational efficiencies, and deliver even greater value to our customers.
Commercial Integrator: What’s your most important strategic goal for the ADI organization over the next 12 to 24 months, Rob?
Rob Aarnes: Our top strategic goal over the next 12 to 24 months is to build on the momentum of our ADI and Snap One integration, while also preparing for our future as a standalone company.
Right now, it’s business as usual. Our team remains focused on delivering value through continued integration efforts. This includes our cross-sell initiatives that have made more than 5,000 new SKUs available across both organizations, the opening of six combined ADI | Snap One store locations and another 10-20 more planned over the next year, and ongoing enhancements to our digital platforms to improve the customer experience.
We also this week completed the transition of our U.S. business onto a modernized ERP platform, marking a major milestone that enhances operational efficiency and will enable us to serve our customers quickly and effectively.
These transformative efforts are positioning both ADI and our customers for long-term success. And as we prepare to spin off into an independent company, our focus is clear: to stand up ADI with excellence – operationally strong, strategically focused, and fully committed to delivering even greater value to our customers.
We have the best team in the industry, and we are ready for this next chapter of our business. The best is yet to come for ADI.
