A Conversation with Steven Walin
GVI Security recently announced that it is helping Seoul, Korea-based LG introduce its security products to the North American market. We asked Steven Walin, GVI CEO, how his company will deliver on the new partnership.
Q: Jinyong Kim, Ph.D., senior vice president of the commercial display and security business division in LG Electronics Inc. says his company was interested in a distributorship with your company because of the work GVI did growing Samsung market share. Is your partnership with LG similar to the one with Samsung?
A:Yes, it is similar to our relationship of 10 years with Samsung Electronics, who depended solely on GVI to represent them in the market. It is not similar to our relationship we had with Samsung Techwin (the current provider of Samsung CCTV) in 2010. Samsung Techwin has decided to sell directly to dealers with their own sales staff.
Q: Will GVI provide customer and/or technical services for LG security products in North America?
A: GVI will provide all the services to sell, deliver, support and repair LG security products. Our team is completely trained and ready to provide our well known excellent pre- and post-sales service and support, which includes immediate delivery for most products.
Q: Do you know how long LG has been involved in the global security market?
A: In excess of five years, all across the world.
Q: GVI offers box cameras, domes, IR cameras DVRs and monitors. LG does, too. Does representing LG present a competition issue?
A: Some customers prefer to purchase “globally branded” products, others do not. GVI wants to provide all our channel customers' needs.
Q: GVI Security offers value priced video products. Do you consider LG products value priced?
A: Yes, LG products are competitively priced and featured in its class of “globally branded” products.
Q: Your new website for LG products, www.lgcctv.com, says that the company's DVRs and monitors will be coming soon. Do you have a definite time when those will be available?
A: LG’s 18- and 21-inch high definition LCD professional security monitors are currently in stock. DVRs will be available in early April in time for the LG debut at ISC West in Las Vegas.