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Directed Electronics was founded in Cleveland, Ohio in 1982 by Darrell Issa (now a U.S. Congressman representing California’s 49th District) and his wife Kathy, as a maker of vehicle security products. In 1986 Directed Electronics moved to Southern California, where the business began to expand rapidly. Automobile theft was rising dramatically, especially in major metropolitan areas, and Directed’s commitment to research and development led to advances in integrated circuit-controlled security systems that propelled the company to the forefront of the field. The Viper and Python brands were introduced, and sales more than doubled between 1989 and 1990, leading to Directed’s inclusion in the Inc. 500 the following year.
During the 1990s, Directed’s sales grew substantially, as the company won dozens of awards, developed the first PC-programmable security systems, achieved quarter-mile range from keychain remote controls, and entered the burgeoning car audio business. In the year 2000, Directed purchased the Clifford and Avital brands and became the unrivalled leader in consumer branded vehicle security and remote start, which continues to this day.
At the end of 2000, Darrell and Kathy Issa sold controlling interest in the company to Trivest, Inc., a private equity firm based in Miami, Florida, and stepped down from day-to-day operation of the company. In January 2001, Jim Minarik, formerly President and CEO of Clarion Corporation of America, took the helm, and since then Directed’s sales have grown nearly 500%.
Directed Electronics, Inc., (NASDAQ: DEIX), holds number one market share positions in premium home theater loudspeakers, consumer branded vehicle security and remote start systems, and aftermarket satellite radio receivers. Directed is also a major supplier of mobile audio and video whose portfolio of well-known brands includes Polk Audio, Viper, Definitive Technology, Python, Clifford, Orion, Precision Power, Autostart and Astroflex.
That's boilerplate – a strictly factual description of what our company does. But what makes Directed tick? What is the company's DNA? What values, strengths and ambitions make us the kind of company you want to do business with?
Directed owns many powerful brands – that's why we say Directed is The Brand Above many of the best-known trade names in consumer electronics including Viper®, Python®, Clifford®, Astroflex® and Autostart® in vehicle security and remote start; Orion®, Precision Power®, West Coast Customs® and Xtreme® in mobile audio; Polk Audio® and Definitive Technology® in home audio; and Directed Video® in mobile video. Plus do-it-yourself electronic products in the ReadyRemote® line.
In addition to the brands that we own, Directed is also associated with another extraordinarily powerful brand: SIRIUS Satellite Radio. That's because Directed is one of SIRIUS' key business partners, and the exclusive supplier in our channels of a number of key SIRIUS receivers, tuners, interfaces and accessories. In addition to supplying SIRIUS products, Directed is also developing SIRIUS accessories like the Innovations Award-winning Soloist™ Universal Sound System.
Customer Service Hours: Monday – Friday 7am to 6pm PST
Customer Service Phone: 1(800)753-0600
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Directed Electronics
