Plantronics signs Roadhound for its headsets

Headset-maker Plantronics has appointed wholesaler Roadhound Electronics as distributor for its mobile headsets in Australia.

US-based Plantronics said in a statement that Roadhound had displayed the "value, commitment and opportunities" necessary to support an extensive stable of mobile phone resellers.

Chris Brown, national retail sales manager at Plantronics, said the consumer market for high quality mobile phone headsets was growing rapidly.

"We are providing consumers with a wider range of audio solutions," Brown said.

NSW-based Roadhound would support Plantronics' range of mobile and Bluetooth offerings and expand the availability and awareness of the vendor's products, Brown said.

Ben Sharma, managing director at Roadhound, said the wholesale distributor was "passionate" about product.

"Plantronics' distinct channel approach and Roadhound as the main distributor for mobile headsets couples innovative technology with our expertise, advice and support for resellers," Sharma claimed.

The US vendor's headsets were available globally via authorised resellers and retailers, Plantronics said.

The vendor reported US$560 million in revenue for the 2004-05 financial year, up from US$143 million in 2004. Growth in wireless was the primary driver, it said in a presentation.

Net income was US$98,000, up from US$62,000 last year.

The next year would see Plantronics concentrate on an integrated marketing campaign that promoted the vendor as supplying products with "outstanding" sound.

"We will also be investing heavily in new products that meet the wireless opportunity in the office, at home, and on the road, for both communications and entertainment applications," Plantronics said in its annual report.

Two new products, the Voyager Bluetooth and MX500 mobile headsets, won design awards at this year's Consumer Electronics Show in the US, the company said.