UNION CITY, CA — May 25, 2005 — The world’s leading producer of high-definition home theater video technology is reinforcing its ongoing effort to give dealers technical support that matches the exemplary quality of its products. With a growing team and a specialized training program, Runco International is redoubling its focus on surpassing installers’ expectations for service. This latest initiative underscores the company’s goal to be its dealers’ strongest business partner in the custom installation industry.
Mike Woods recently rejoined Runco International, stepping into the position of Technical Operations Manager. Mike returns to the company after moving back to the Bay area following three years as a custom installer in Southern California. Prior to that, he worked at Runco for 11 years, watching the company grow firsthand following the introduction of the landmark ARC-IV aspect ratio controller. Now, as technical operations manager, he will act as the liaison between the engineering department and Runco’s sales, marketing, and technical support teams. Woods commented, “Since Runco’s early years, it has been a priority to support installers in every way possible, beyond building video displays that let them create one-of-a-kind home theaters. We are constantly developing ways to give our dealers faster and more efficient service. For example, our cross-training program is merging our service and sales teams to streamline and strengthen our ability to assist dealers in all sales and product support needs. And I’ve personally been able to bring even more practical application knowledge to our tech support team, passing along some of my in-field experience. It’s great to be back, and I’m looking forward to making Runco’s support program the most comprehensive our dealers can find.”
Runco’s technical product manager, Kurt Ayers, is responsible for transitioning new products from the engineering phase to the manufacturing and production stage. Whether evaluating new displays, new processor software, or upgrade features, Kurt ensures that each of Runco’s cutting-edge products perform beyond expectation. Ayers says that Runco is considered a pioneer in home theater because it takes advantage of exceptional opportunities in the marketplace: “Our customers have very high expectations because Runco doesn’t simply seek to create ‘me too’ products. Our goal is to have each of our customers say ‘I’m proud to have a Runco product,’ and it shows at each step of development, from research and individual product testing on to integration testing with partner systems that installers work with. We make sure each product that ships out achieves the top-tier performance that deserves to be stamped with the Runco name.” Prior to working at Runco, Kurt gained engineering experience working with large computer systems, GPS receivers and telco optical switches.
Runco International also recently brought on Consuelo “Connie” Jacobs as its customer service lead. She manages the cross-training program for Runco’s recently merged service and sales teams. The program gives installers a single point for resolving all product support requests, whether ordering finished goods or parts, or filing repair issues. Jacobs says the training will equip the sales & service team to provide Runco customers a specialized level of assistance: “Following our current cross-training, our sales & service team members will not only handle a broader variety of installers’ requests, they’ll be dedicated to particular accounts. This individual approach to our customers’ needs is one way we’re matching the quality of our customer service with that of our products, which are the best in home theater. Runco’s success has always come from a desire to do more than just move products; our customers expect us to be the best in every way we can, and customer service is essential to that.” Before working at Runco, Jacobs gained five years of customer service and inside sales experience working for manufacturers in the semiconductor industry. Her new position at Runco gives her the opportunity to use that experience toward implementing Runco’s “world-class” support effort.
About Runco International, Inc.
Founded in 1987 and currently headquartered in Union City, California, Runco International, Inc. is a market leader in state-of-the-art projection systems, flat-panel plasma and LCD monitors, video processors and other components for the consumer market. Runco’s innovations have won numerous awards and citations from the world press. Runco was the first company to introduce and market a line doubler with a multi-frequency projector in 1990 and also introduced the first multiple-aspect-ratio controller, the ARC-IV, to the Home Theater market. Recently, both of these features have become essential for the new digital high definition capable televisions. For more information on Runco International, visit the web at www.runco.com.
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