Custom installation product distributor AWE expands to a new facility in Epsom, Surrey, with a standalone building allowing for increased stock handling as well as as more space for customers, suppliers and staff.

The building incorporates a dedicated training facility complete with integrated equipment, and a showroom for displaying products "like never before" is in the works.

“Asides from the increased warehouse space, by all being based under one roof, it will be a much better environment," AWE managing director Stuart Tickle says. "The building has been called "Alexander House," a family name taken from the founder of the company, my great-grandfather, and my grandfather who later took over."

SurgeX International publishes a white paper that should be of interest to our readers-- Power and Grounding for Audio and Video Systems: A White Paper for the Real World.

Written Audio Systems consultant Jim Brown, the 43-page paper is a guide to the correct connection, distribution and grounding practices of 120/230-volt AC power platform implementation.

"The implementation of proper AC power and grounding practices for integrated systems is commonly overlooked," SurgeX says. "There are only a handful of IT/AV consultants on the planet that understand these issues at the level Jim [Brown] does, and his course at InfoComm has become a requisite for professionals looking to secure CTS status and beyond."

EMEA distributor Amber International adds adds racks to its portfolio-- Forge Racking Solutions, makers of racking solutions ideal for installations in limited spaces.

Forge offers ultra-thin (485mm wide) floor standing and wall mounted racks wide enough to accommodate all modern AV equipment, with 13-gauge top and bottom panels providing strength and stability and 11-gauge front and rear rails with conveniently numbered (10-32 threaded) spaces.

Racks include front top and bottom trim panels for a more pleasing look.

The company also offers a PC rack configurator-- software allowing installers to build rack setups virtually before presentation to customers. It comes complete with step-by-step configuration wizard, front, side, and rear views of created rack setups and various measuring and labeling features.

Go Amber International

Crestron opens entries for the Integration Awards 2013-- the vendor's celebration of outstanding work undertaken by accredited Crestron integrators.

"The Crestron Integration Awards showcase the very best in the industry and we are excited to see the projects being submitted to this year’s scheme” Crestron UK managing director Robin van Meeuwen says. “It’s inspiring to see how our integrators are implementing our products in real-life situations... The Integration Awards celebrate the hard work of installers who design some of the most amazing smart homes I’ve ever seen.”

Eligible projects must be completed between 1 June 2012 and 31 May 2013 and fall within the following categories: