Al & Ed’s Autosound
California’s largest mobile electronics and communications specialist
Back in the early ‘50s, the mobile electronics industry was non-existent. The major auto manufacturers devoted limited focus to automobile accessories and mobile electronics. But 1954 was the year a young Al Brotzky announced to representatives of the Ford Company and GM, at a local tradeshow, “what they do best is build cars and what he (Al) does best is install car radios.” What followed was the birth of an industry.
Together with then partner Ed Zionts, Brotzky founded what became California’s largest mobile electronics and communications specialists — Al & Ed’s Autosound. Today, with 25 stores, Al & Ed’s Autosound is viewed within the mobile electronics world as a barometer for the industry.
With a focus on experimentation and research, the company was an instrumental partner in the pioneering of innovations such as FM for cars, car tape players and the first car alarm. Al & Ed’s vision for the future of the mobile electronics industry included the areas of entertainment equipment, communication, security, safety and function. The company’s foresight helped establish it today as a dominant player in the mobile electronics industry — an industry forecasted to grow for decades, particularly with the additional rapid developments of mobile video and navigation.
With the retirement of founder Al Brotsky in 2001, the leadership of the company was assumed by then 15-year Al & Ed’s franchise veteran, Gabi Mashal as President. Along with a talented assortment of mobile electronics executives, this team powers the vision and innovation behind the company’s services and product offerings. The management team plans to lead Al & Ed’s to its next level of expansion, by bringing independent (“Mom & Pop”) shops into the fold, targeting new and under-served locations and franchising select existing Al & Ed’ s stores.
Moreover, management plans for further strategic and aggressive growth through the selling of franchises and operating businesses in additional California locations. Future growth is contemplated to include expansion into neighboring states. Management estimates that these markets can support many new mobile specialty retail locations within the coming years.
Headquartered in the city of Van Nuys, CA, Al & Ed’s Autosound sells and installs today most major brands within the mobile electronics product lines, including car stereos, CD changers, amplifiers, speakers, equalizers and processors, mobile theater systems, navigation systems, security systems, radar detectors, cellular telephones and hands free kits as well as motoring accessories. The company also has an exclusive private label program – featuring the MobilWorks line of car alarms and mobile entertainment audio/video products.
It was Al & Ed’s that helped create today’s standards of excellence with the founding of the Mobile Electronics Certification Program for technicians, as well as the mobile division for the Electronics Industry Alliance, which currently resides under the Consumer Electronic Association.