SIGNALS
Audio Distributors International Hits the Quarter-Century Mark
Quebec-based Audio Distributors International ( ADI ) is celebrating its 25 th anniversary throughout 2018 . Founded in 1993 by Richard Lasnier , ADI continues to be a family-focused company that prides itself on its personal service and strong relationships with pro audio and MI customers and dealers across Canada .
“ As a teenager in the ‘ 60s , I was pretty good with a guitar and so I managed to get lots of recording gigs as a hired gun . I also played with a succession of somewhat popular regional bands . In my spare time , I bought , refurbished , resold , and collected used guitars , which eventually led to my opening my first business in 1970 , a music store called Richard ’ s Music Shop ,” Richard tells Professional Sound . “ When the home recording craze came about in the mid- ‘ 70s , I started to sell Tascam and other related products . This quickly outgrew the musical instrument part of the business and in the early ‘ 80s I changed the name to Richard Audio , which eventually became a leading pro audio retailer in Montreal .”
From that retail operation , Richard became the leading Soundcraft dealer in Canada and was offered the Canadian distribution rights to the brand . With that , Soundcraft Canada was born and Richard began his career in distribution . In 1990 , when Harman Industries bought Soundcraft , Lasnier accepted their offer to sell his shares , but he knew he wasn ’ t done in the audio distribution game and formed ADI just three years later .
“ I founded Audio Distributors International as a means to separate retail from distribution ,” Richard explains . “ In 1995 , the retail business hit on hard times and I decided to focus solely on distribution .”
From the start , Richard ’ s son Eric has been a key part of the company ’ s success . “ When we decided to focus our efforts on distribution , it began as a three-person team : my father ran the sales and administration , my mother took care of accounting , and I basically did everything else the company needed from me , including taking various courses to acquire necessary skills like product specialist , web design , etc . When we began to grow , we then hired reps and various staff to fill our needs ,” Eric shares .
One of the first lines ADI picked up – and that remains a core part of its portfolio to this day – was Rode Microphones . To Richard and Eric , Rode is more than just a brand they sell .
“ The infamous Hall E of the NAMM Show ! That ’ s where it all began . That ’ s when I met the guys from Rode : Peter Freedman and Colin Hill , may he rest in peace ,” says Richard . “ We got off to a great start and we ’ ve been like family ever since . Rode is in our blood .”
The feeling is certainly mutual . “ With Richard and Eric at ADI , they ’ re representatives of us , but they ’ re also our friends and have been for a very long time ,” Freedman tells Professional Sound . “ They are part of the family and I love them . It ’ s great and you can ’ t beat having known somebody for 20 years or more . It ’ s pretty special .”
Since partnering with Rode , ADI ’ s audio portfolio has grown to include Aphex , Auratone , Event Electronics , Blue Sky , Funktion-One ,
( L-R ) ADI CEO RICHARD LASNIER , SALES MGR . LOUIS-PHILIPPE BOITEAU & COO ERIC LASNIER
RICHARD LASNIER ( CENTRE ) WITH RODE ’ S PETER FREEDMAN & COLIN HILL
Galaxy Audio , Palmer Audio Tools , MC2 Audio , and more .
Impressively , ADI has also managed to flourish with some of the country ’ s largest distributors in their backyard . “ Being a medium-size company has its advantages ,” says Richard . “ Given our size , we have a clear view of all aspects of our business and every one is given proper attention and care . We are very adaptable and able to fully implement changes very rapidly and we are highly focused on the brands we ’ re entrusted with . We are also able to provide a level of personal attention that would be very difficult to achieve with much larger companies .”
Now , 25 years into the story of ADI , the Lasniers ’ eyes are firmly on the future . Eric has been acting COO for two years as the multi-year process unfolds that will see him eventually become CEO . “ Now that we have established our foundations properly , we are geared for growth ,” says Eric . “ We are actively seeking new lines that will fit into our portfolio and complement our existing lines as we hope to become an increasingly useful , productive , and profitable ally to our dealers .”
For more information , contact ADI : 450-449-8177 , info @ adipro . ca , www . adipro . ca .
10 PROFESSIONAL SOUND