Current Concepts, a smart-home integration company based in Lehigh Valley, has been sold. Majority owner and long-time president Glen Hill has retired. The new face of the company, General Manager and longtime employee, Eric Haas took over operations in the New Year. Continuing on with the firm is longtime employee and co-owner, Tim Corby.
Changing of the Guard at Current Concepts
Current Concepts was founded in 1985 as an A/V and home automation company. Glen had the vision to see that home automation technology was growing exponentially and there was an opportunity in the Lehigh Valley to be addressed. After working solo for more than 15 years, Glen took on a partner, Tim Corby, to help grow Current Concepts. As part of that growth, Eric Haas joined the company in 2005 as a part-time technician. Increasing not only his hours but his knowledge base, Haas quickly took on the role of programmer and system designer. Along with its reputation, the firm grew from two partners to three, promoting Eric Haas to partner, in 2011. In 2017, Haas was promoted to the position of General Manager. Starting January 2019, Haas took over as President of Current Concepts.
Current Concepts Next Growth Phase
Expansion plans are key- Haas is going to make some twenty-first century improvements in Current Concepts; enabling the company to not only sell, but also monitor security systems. In addition, Haas hopes to expand the business online; selling non-protected products on Current Concepts’ website in the near future.
“Every year, we expand into new areas and every year we get a little better at what we do,” Haas says. “Security is a new component offered from the business; making it a one-stop-shop for all your technology needs.”
In addition, Haas is reaching out to builders in the Lehigh Valley to get smart home automation into entry level homes, making smart homes affordable to the masses. Much of the company’s work comes from semi-custom homebuilders, some of which are expanding into other territories, according to Haas. He suggests Current Concepts might follow these customers to their new home developments. With greater internal efficiencies, Current Concepts will be in a better position to expand, both locally and outside of the Lehigh Valley area.
“Current Concepts pipeline has never been so full,” Haas says. “The high-end residential market is on fire. Our main challenge is going to be keeping up with all the work.”
The company is somewhat unique in the home-tech field, pursuing both security and ultra-custom, smart-home projects for distinguished clients.
Most home-tech installation companies grow slowly, organically – adding more product lines, markets and customers. Some merge with local competitors. Others add remote offices. Current Concepts is sticking with the products that have been the most reliable and successful in the company’s history. Promoting employees from within gives the company a sense of community/family.
After 33 years as Current Concepts president, Hill was already planning to retire, and Haas had been increasingly active in Current Concepts since 2005. Hill says he looks forward to the next chapter of his life, and he’s particularly heartened to leave the company to such passionate owners.