Mackie Designs Changes Name

Mackie Designs Inc. announced a change the company's corporate designation from Mackie Designs Inc. to Loud Technologies Inc. This change is intended to eliminate confusion between "Mackie" the company, and "Mackie" the brand. The change will also clarify positioning for each of the individual brands under the new Loud Technologies Inc. umbrella.

Jamie Engen, CEO at Loud Technologies Inc. commented, "As the company has grown, it has become increasingly difficult to differentiate the corporate entity 'Mackie Designs Inc.' from the brand 'Mackie'. This change will enable us to more clearly communicate within the financial and business communities while at the same time, allow all of the brands under the new corporate designation, Loud Technologies, to strengthen their own unique identities and market positions."

Engen continued, "The transition from Mackie Designs Inc. to Loud Technologies Inc. will take place over a period of weeks rather than days. It's a change in designation only that is intended to bring clarity to our brands and does not indicate a change in ownership, corporate structure, or in day-to-day business operations. 'Mackie' the brand will remain and, as such, will have greater clarity and messaging as a result."

Currently there are seven brands in the Loud Technologies portfolio: Mackie, the primary music industry retail brand; TAPCO, the entry-level retail brand; EAW, the high-end sound reinforcement and professional touring brand; RCF, the commercial/industrial sound brand; RCF Precision, the OEM loudspeaker components brand; SIA Software, the sound system measurement software brand; and Acuma Labs, the brand of embedded software solutions for professional audio.

The RCF brand is also undergoing some changes, becoming dedicated to commercial sound. Current Mackie Industrial products will be migrated to the RCF brand starting with the DX8/DX810 Digital Mixer and the SP400C Ceiling Monitor.

Loud Technologies Inc. will continue to be headquartered in Woodinville, Wash. at the current Mackie Designs Inc. headquarters.