EVOLUTION TO LAUNCH POWER SHADES IN CANADA

Evolution Home Entertainment has been appointed Canadian distributor for Power Shades, which offers manual and motorized shading products that work on a cloud-based platform, and can integrate with Amazon Alexa for voice control, and other smart home platforms.

The first time the brand will have a presence in Canada, Evolution will represent the complete line to all channels, including retailers and integrators, as well as direct to consumers.

Fully cloud-based for quoting, configuring, and control, Power Shades can be set up entirely from a device like a smartphone, without the need for additional software. They also work out of the box with Amazon Alexa, allowing home or business owners to control the movement of the shades by voice – no third-party control platform is required as an intermediary. This simplifies the set-up process for integrators as well. “The dealer,” says Brad Middleton, National Sales Manager for Evolution Home Entertainment Corp, “[can] offer a solution for their client that doesn’t add thousands of additional dollars for extra hardware.” This also opens up a new customer base for integrators, of those who might not want a whole-home luxury control system, but still desire easy-to-use and automated shading.

The proprietary technology allows Power Shades to integrate with a number of smart home automation systems beyond Alexa as well, from companies like Crestron, Control4, Google Home, RTI Samsung SmartThings, and Savant.

The Evolution team gathered to install PowerShades in the company’s Concord, ON head office, and attend training sessions for the line.

“We are excited,” adds Middleton, “to partner with PowerShades. Shades are a growing market for the integrator, and every consumer they meet requires shading in their home. Our goal is to have every electronics dealer in Canada able to participate in a category they traditionally shy away from due to the complexity of quoting, measuring, and installing shades.”

“PowerShades is thrilled to be entering the Canadian market with a great partner like Evolution,” adds Ethan Turner, Director of Sales and Marketing for PowerShades. “Evolution really understands why it is that PowerShades came to be; we want to offer smart shades at affordable pricing so more people can enjoy this wonderful technology. We are confident that Brad and the team at Evolution are exactly what PowerShades needs for a successful launch in the Canadian market and strong growth for many years to come.”

PowerShades designs its own motors, controls, and hardware, as well as the platform for control of the shades. Smart Shades start from $115 for manual shades and $298 for motorized.