Above / Sound Incorporated (aka Sound Inc.) is located at 1550 Shore Road on Naperville’s northwest side.
This month, Sound Incorporated is celebrating its first “50 years of service” in Naperville. Friday evening family, employees, customers and friends marked the special milestone during festivities to recognize how the small family-owned establishment grew to achieve its international reputation, thriving on collaboration as it prospers today.
Back in 1963, a staff of two got the ball rolling by installing background music and paging systems on the premise that everyone deserves to be heard. Ed Channell, then a technician for the company, bought what he tagged “Sound Inc.” in 1965.
The 1970’s housing and apartment boom brought prosperity for the company, as they installed intercom systems and master antenna systems. Then in the 80s, Sound Inc. took off, thanks to the deregulation of the telephone industry and opportunities used wisely. Security system work in the 90’s and early 2000 helped the company double its revenues aided by the advent of our nations Homeland Security Department.
Today Sound Inc. specializes in three areas: Voice and Data, Sound, and Security. The company offers turnkey integrated solutions in many different markets including corporate, industrial, governmental, educational and healthcare facilities. They also coordinate installations, service and maintenance nationally and internationally for several clients.
Ed Channell’s son, Todd, is the current owner and Chief Executive Officer. Todd has been with the family business for 25 years.
Phil Maulding is President of Sound Incorporated
Todd Channell credits Phil Maulding, President of Sound Inc., as the man who knows everything about the company from the inside out.
“Our family business is much more than a family name,” said Todd. “Phil is family. He started with our company 41 years ago as an installer. And he’s responsible for our double-digit growth last year.”
Todd went on to explain that before 2008, the company had grown to employ 130 people. He anticipates Sound Inc. will see another double-digit growth year and a time when the company that currently employs 100 will again grow to be up to 130 employees.
While the company has local beginnings and a continuing commitment to the local community, Sound Inc. is a $22 million company that reaches far beyond Naperville’s borders.
“We’ve been fortunate to work with many local Fortune 100 companies that also are growing internationally,” Todd said. “They trust us and send us to do their work overseas.”
Memory Lane Theater
A red carpet placed amid tents and other activities led to memories of the first 50 years that had been captured in old photos and videos.
As folks headed toward the exhibits near the small “Memory Lane Theater” where videos of the longtime family of employees at work were playing, Ed kept asking passers-by, “How’d you like my hair back then?”
Sound Incorporated is located at 1550 Shore Rd., just off Diehl Road. For more information, visit www.soundinc.com
Community Service
Ed Channell, now the Chairman of the Board of Sound Incorporated, also has served in leadership rolls in his community, supporting the Jaycees, the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club of Naperville and many nonprofit organizations. Ed also served as co-chairman of two different Riverwalk Fundraising Campaigns that benefited enhancements and extension of the Riverwalk and Fredenhagen Park with more than $1 million in private funds.
About seven years after Ed’s retirement in 1997 from day-to-day operations, the fun-loving man began writing a monthly column in Positively Naperville, a showcase of his sometimes wacky life’s experiences titled “Ed’s Many Hats.”
Under Todd Channell’s leadership Sound Incorporated still supports the community in significant ways through memberships, sponsorships and coaching sports teams.
Todd Channell has followed his father’s lead and invests his time and expertise by serving on the board of directors for the Naperville Development Partnership as well as the West Suburban Angels.
