Editor’s Note: Quest for Quality 2024 awards coverage will continue in the October print issue of CI+SSI.
Each year, Commercial Integrator bestows the Quest for Quality Awards to celebrate the people behind our industry’s top manufacturers and distributors. There are several noteworthy award programs that CI leads to commemorate the latest products and technologies, but the Quest for Quality initiative stands apart as a testament to the forces — the people — behind the innovations and services.
This program celebrates manufacturers and distributors that go above and beyond to serve their integrator partners. The Quest for Quality 2024 Award recognizes not only the organization but also every tech-support professional, sales-support associate, website designer, customer-service representative and warehouse worker who drives the company forward to better serve integrators.
Quest for Quality 2024 Celebrates Our Industry’s Workforce
Our editors believe it’s worthwhile to celebrate our industry’s workforce each year and in all market conditions. However, it’s truly essential to do so when things are challenging and constantly evolving. In today’s AV market, backlogs may be looking a bit less encouraging, compounded by escalating labor and talent shortages, as well as an increased need for IT expertise. Nevertheless, the industry continues to sound a note of optimism, and this is evident by the incredible services and partnerships between manufacturers, distributors and integrators.
Here, CI spotlights the manufacturers and distributors that have surged ahead, giving integrators the support and resources they need to thrive. What follows is our complete list of Quest for Quality 2024 winners, including exclusive quotes from executive leadership.
Quest for Quality 2024 – Manufacturer Division Winners
Best Manufacturer for Warranty Policies: AVPro Edge
Logo courtesy: AVPro Edge.
“It has always been the policy of AVPro Edge to support our network of integrators with the most innovative video and audio products backed by the best support services and policies,” Tom Devine, marketing director at AVPro Global Holdings, explains. “We are grateful to be recognized for standing behind our products. Quite simply, it is one key part of our mission to be recognized as the best AV signal distribution and control products and services company on the planet.”
Best Manufacturer for Customer Service/General Communication: D-Tools
Logo courtesy: D-Tools.
“We are honored to receive the Best Customer Service/General Communications award in the Commercial Integrator Quest for Quality 2024 Awards for the third consecutive year,” Randy Stearns, CEO, D-Tools, remarks to Commercial Integrator. “This recognition reflects our dedication to our customers and is a testament to the hard work of our Customer Success Team, the effectiveness of our software tools and our commitment to helping our customers thrive. We remain focused on delivering top-notch service and support, and we look forward to continuing to innovate and collaborate with our industry peers.”
Best Manufacturer for Shipping/Delivery: Kramer
Logo courtesy: Kramer.
Gilad Yron, CEO, Kramer, says, “It’s an incredible honor to be recognized as Best Manufacturer for Shipping and Delivery by the integrators and readers of Commercial Integrator. This award is a testament to Kramer’s unwavering commitment to ensuring our customers receive the latest technology exactly when they need it. With one of the most extensive product portfolios in the market, Kramer is dedicated to delivering everything required for a top-tier AV system — from essential components to complete end-to-end solutions. Our focus on maintaining comprehensive stock levels and reliable logistics underscores our drive to keep projects on schedule and to put our customers first. We deeply appreciate this recognition from Commercial Integrator and are inspired to continue exceeding expectations in service and innovation.”
Best Manufacturer for Technical Support: NETGEAR
Logo Courtesy: NETGEAR AV
“We are proud to be recognized for our pro AV technical support,” Laurent Masia, senior director of product marketing at NETGEAR, says. “We take customer and partner success very seriously, and it shows in the trust and collaboration we have earned from our 300-plus AV partners. The end-to-end support provided by the seasoned experts of our Pro AV Design Team for projects ranging from a single conference room to a large entertainment complex is unparalleled in the marketplace. Our complimentary service includes product selection, network design, troubleshooting, training and support, and pre- and post-installation. We provide the networking backbone to projects, and we help to ensure that installations go smoothly without much manual configuration required. We ensure our products are preconfigured for the most pervasive protocols and platforms and remain on standby to help solve any potential problems in the moment with a direct line to our engineers. We believe that no one, regardless of size or complexity, should go it alone, and our team is always available to assist.”
Best Manufacturer for Training Programs: Crestron
Logo courtesy: Crestron.
“We are honored to have been named Best Manufacturer for Training Programs! The number-one goal of the Crestron Technical Institute (CTI) is to meet the training needs of our dealers, partners and service providers so they can deliver exceptional solutions to our customers with ease and confidence” Chris Sgroe, senior director, global training and technical documentation, Crestron Electronics, says. “We continue to invest in various on-demand learning opportunities, including self-paced videos; classroom-based, instructor-led training; and online virtual training to make our training more accessible while focusing on the quality of our curriculum to ensure success.”
Sgroe adds, “Our advanced certifications are recognized and valued globally, while our role-based learning paths offer students skills for specific products, solutions, job roles or technology areas. CTI has trained and certified tens of thousands of AV professionals and continues to provide best-of-breed training, tools and resources for all partners, dealers and service providers.”
Best Manufacturer for Dealer Portal: Matrox Video
Logo courtesy: Matrox Video
Kimberly Brown, marketing and communications manager, Matrox Video, says, “Matrox Video is honored to be recognized as Best Manufacturer for Dealer Portal for this year’s Commercial Integrator Quest for Quality 2024 Awards. Our talented partners are key to our success. We believe in providing these valued members of the Matrox Video network with the tools they need to be able to plan and execute their projects all from one easy-to-access, easy-to-use interface.”
Quest for Quality 2024 – Distributor Division Winners
Best Distributor for Customer Service/General Communication: TD SYNNEX
Logo courtesy: TD SYNNEX
“Our partners are at the heart of our business, and this award is a testament to our commitment to putting them first,” Sandi Stambaugh, SVP of vendor business management at TD SYNNEX, remarks. “This recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of our coworkers, who go above and beyond every day to ensure our partners receive the support they need to achieve success. We believe that exceptional service is the cornerstone of building strong, lasting relationships, so we are grateful to be celebrated by our community and look forward to continuing to deliver the best possible service to our partners.”
Best Distributor for Dealer Portal and Shipping/Delivery: Exertis Almo
Logo courtesy: Exertis Almo
Dan Smith, executive vice president, Exertis Almo, says, “Our customers and manufacturers serve as our greatest source of inspiration regarding ways we can better serve the industry. We are grateful to receive two Quest for Quality 2024 awards this year, including the Dealer Portal award for the third year in a row. Exertis Almo is continually evolving the content and functionality of the ALMO ACCESS portal based on partner feedback to ensure it remains a valuable tool for integrators. New programs and promotions are regularly added so partners can earn more profits and enjoy the rewards.”
As regards the Shipping/Delivery category, Smith adds, “Shipping and delivery are areas where Exertis Almo continues to excel, with 12 distribution facilities and 2.7 million square feet of stocked warehousing space available throughout the U.S. As market enablers, these functions work in tandem with our sales, service, business development and consulting specialties to support the integrator in every way possible, so they can continue to grow in the ever-changing AV market climate.”
Best Distributor for Technical Support and Training Programs: ADI Global Distribution
Logo courtesy: ADI / Snap One.
Cynthia Menna, VPGM AV, ADI Global Distribution, remarks, “In addition to our comprehensive product offering, ADI is committed to providing our customers with the training, support and services they need to be successful. We are extremely proud to be recognized by CI readers in the Quest for Quality 2024 Awards for our technical support and training programs.” She says, “Our customers rely on us to keep them up to date on the latest products and technologies. To do so, we offer numerous training opportunities, including our ADI Expo training series, branch and counter days, online webinar series and our on-demand ADI Academy training platform.”
Menna continues, “We have a team of experts across every product category and application, so our customers can feel confident they have the best solutions for every job. In addition, ADI’s Systems Design Team helps with systems design, configuration and product selection for any project. Every day, our teams are helping to make installations easier and more efficient for our customers.”
Once again, Commercial Integrator congratulates all the Quest for Quality 2024 winners and extends its gratitude to the manufacturers and distributors that continue to improve integrators’ business and the overall industry.
What’s more, CI looks forward to elevating the Quest for Quality Awards program to an even bigger scale next year so that manufacturers and distributors can continue to spotlight their people, their principles and their performance!
