Argentina. SOUNDTEC company dedicated to professional AV systems, automation and control, member of ConsorcioTec, gave us an interview about his balance of the last year, where he mentioned the achievements and goals he hopes to achieve in this 2023, despite the difficulties faced by his country.
From AVI Latin America magazine we had the opportunity to interview Alejandro Arena, Commercial Manager of SOUNDTEC. During the conversation we began an approach with the highlights of 2022, to reach the challenges and goals that this company is addressing this year.
AVI: What is the balance for SOUNDTEC from the first quarter of 2022 to the first quarter of 2023?
Alejandro Arena: We can consider this period as a new positive cycle for our company, as integrators of audiovisual technology we have noticed a growth, not only in the number of projects entrusted to us but also in the complexity of them, which denotes recognition by our clients, as well as confidence in our ability to assume responsibility in the development and execution of projects that require a high degree of Knowledge and mastery of the technologies available in the market.
On the other hand, from our equipment distribution division we have managed to incorporate more products to our portfolio and that more technology integrating companies, as well as specialized stores from different parts of the country, adopt the products of the brands we represent. This phenomenon, apart from being a merit of the quality of the technological solutions we offer, we consider that it is due (in part) to our distribution policy, which focuses on guaranteeing a good business, both for the end user and for those who market it.
To finish answering this question, it is important to mention that during the last quarter of 2022 we participated for the first time in the CAPER SHOW, which is the reference exhibition in our country and currently the only one that covers the equipment and public of the professional AV sector. In that space we were able to contact many of our local customers and some from the interior of the country, show them a wide range of the products we sell in our stand, including some launches, and at the same time get new contacts with prospects, some of whom have become customers today.
AVI: What was the highlight in this 2022 for SOUNDTEC, compared to its work, alliances or achievements?
Alejandro Arena: Without a doubt, 2022 was one of the years that have resulted most complex in the history of our company, due to the context of global shortages and the economic situation of our country. However, we were able to overcome these difficulties by generating new processes and applying new strategies that allowed us to adapt to changing market conditions. This process required expanding our capacity to adapt, modifying the objectives and goals previously set.
In this sense, our sourcing strategy allowed us to have the necessary stock availability to meet the needs of customers and distinguish ourselves from other competitors. At the same time we incorporate new products to our portfolio and develop new suppliers.
AVI: What are the projects or goals of SOUNDTEC that are already materializing in this 2023?
Alejandro Arena: For this 2023 we have the goal of incorporating more products and services to our portfolio, novelties that allow us to provide greater benefits to our customers. In fact, we plan for the coming months to have meetings with new manufacturers and suppliers in different international exhibitions, to close some agreements that we have today in the project stage.
I emphasize that as a company we have also incorporated more sales staff to provide better attention and monitoring of projects. Similarly, we plan to participate in CAPER SHOW again towards the end of the year.
Of the plans that are already materializing, I must mention that a few days ago we started a complete reform of our offices, to provide greater comfort to employees and visitors. In that sense, we also fear budgeting to expand our Show Room.
ConsorcioTec as a complement to the work plan
Now, as mentioned at the beginning of this publication, SOUNDTEC is part of ConsorcioTec, a loyalty ecosystem for the purchase of technology, made up of more than 80 integrators in Latin America that can work in a network and that, additionally, can receive cashback for the purchases they make with the group's suppliers. Hence, an obligatory interview question focused on the benefits obtained by belonging to this program.
AVI: Would you highlight any benefit of belonging to ConsorcioTec that would have helped SOUNDTEC meet its 2022 goals?
Alejandro Arena: We had the good sense to join ConsorcioTec practically since its inception and this allowed us, in addition to receiving economic benefits for the purchases of the products we sell, to have access to new customer and lead accounts, thanks to the prestige that this group has gained over time, a phenomenon related to the recognition that Max Jaramillo (Chief Integrator Advocate at ConsorcioTec) has in our market.
Balance of Argentina in this 2023
Finally, we asked SOUNDTEC what is the forecast it can give for the AV industry in its country (Argentina) this 2023
Alejandro Arena: In Argentina there is always the expectation of adopting new technologies to improve the user experience, an issue that occurs in almost all vertical markets. However, and because of the strong devaluation that reigns in our country, this process often slows down; So on many occasions projects must be adjusted to simpler solutions to adapt to budgetary changes.
However, despite the costs of implementing these technologies, many companies and end customers do not modify their plans and invest in the solutions, gaining access to them, because they take advantage of the opportunity to reach them as soon as they are available.
In general, I believe that this will be a complicated year for importers, due to the restrictions in force in our country. It will be more difficult than usual to complete the lists of equipment of the projects, an issue that will demand greater capacity to adapt the projects and the needs.
Finally, Alejandro shared photographs of the AV system of the Duty Free of Buenos Aires, at the Ezeiza Airport, which is one of their last facilities and shows the quality of the work they do.
