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Alcons Audio Celebrating 20th Anniversary

Founded in 2002, the Dutch company has grown from a start-up to an operation with offices in the Netherlands, Germany, and the United States as well as a dedicated worldwide dealer network.
ProSoundWeb
Left to right, Alcons Audio partners Phil de Haan, Tom Back and Maurice Laarhoven.

Alcons Audio is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary, growing from a start-up to an operation with offices in the Netherlands, Germany, and the United States as well as a dedicated worldwide dealer network that all began when former sales and marketing director Tom Back founded the Dutch company in 2002 to develop and manufacture professional loudspeaker systems for a range of applications.

Co-founder and shareholder Philip “Dr. Phil” de Haan, senior R&D engineer, initiator of multiple patents, and developer of the company’s high-output pro-ribbon technology, came onboard to direct the research and development department, with Maurice Laarhoven joining the ranks as the third shareholder, responsible for the financial department. While the three came together and made an agreement to start Alcons Audio BV in October 2002, it wasn’t until May 2003 that the company was officially registered at the Chamber of Commerce and started selling products.

In 2003, Alcons expanded its reach to Germany after a successful launch at the Pro Light & Sound show in Frankfurt. Carsten Albrecht, former colleague and experienced in the field of service, installation, and application support became the new sales and technical support manager of Alcons Audio Deutschland. The company has always seen Germany as its “domestic market,” and today’s market position in the German market reflects that.

A U.S. office was established in 2011, with David Rahn, previously national sales manager at Renkus Heinz, and Pauline Ortiz y Pino, formerly a business development specialist taking the lead of Alcons Audio USA.
Back recalls: “Instead of renting space and form an official office with a fixed address, we bought a large 38-foot ‘toterhome,” basically a semi-truck with a house built on it, and had a trailer custom-made to carry a substantial inventory of demo gear. David and Pauline traveled the USA in ‘Big Al’ for almost three years. That was the real footwork done, presenting the brand to the U.S. markets.”

Alcons came through the pandemic period unscathed, with turnover remaining strong and not having to lay off staff. During that time, plans were made to bring all departments under one roof, after having grown the company in different offices and production halls and the all logistic issues the involved.

A new building was acquired with a total of 50,000 square feet, offering ample expansion possibilities for the future, and further increasing production capacity while bringing down lead times. In October 2022, the month of the 20th anniversary, the first stage of the move-in was finalized, with an official opening and celebration slated for when its complete.

“With momentum growing fast in all our markets, the future looks very exciting,” says Back. “Significant product introductions are around the corner, offering one single, scalable cross-application audio reference, steering the company into the next 20 years of evolutionary audio solutions: One reference; One experience.

“We’re a forward-thinking company, looking ahead instead of looking back; However, 20 years is a milestone that deserves a moment to look back and reflect. At the coming ISE, we will not only share our future but also our history with our relations and visitors.“

Alcons Audio

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ProSoundWeb's ISE 2023 Coverage

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Booth #7F680