AVID Products Receives Warm Welcome from Mayor Smiley as Company Headquarters Return to Providence
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Surrounded by Providence Mayor Brett Smiley and community leaders, AVID Products cut the ribbon today on its new headquarters in Providence’s historic Foundry Building. The event celebrated a return to AVID’s roots, its enduring dedication to innovation and growth, and its bright future in the Capital City.
AVID – which is an acronym for Audio Visual Instructional Device – is a leading manufacturer of high-quality audio solutions that was founded in Providence in 1953. After a 30-year absence, the company recently moved its headquarters from Middletown back to the city. It is now located in a newly renovated space in The Foundry, a former industrial site from the 1870s.
“We are pleased to welcome an active community partner like AVID back into the Providence community,” Mayor Smiley said. “When you think about it, The Foundry – a post-Civil War building which has found new life in recent years – is the perfect place for AVID to begin its next chapter of innovation and growth.”
AVID is a 100% employee-owned company that is dedicated to community involvement and making an impact on the lives of people they serve.
“All of us at AVID are thrilled to once again be part of this vibrant and innovative city. From our consultants to the financial institution where we conduct our banking, we’re already taking advantage of Providence’s resource-rich ecosystem,” said AVID President and CEO Tom Finn. “Our relocation to Providence isn’t just a change of address. As a community-focused company, we will be contributing members of the community. By supporting local vendors and charitable causes whenever possible, it’s our goal to reinvest in the community which has already given us so much.”
“As Chairperson of AVID’s ESOP Communications Committee, I am eager to embrace this opportunity to give back and engage with our new neighbors and forage the bonds that make AVID truly exceptional. Together, we look forward to continuing our legacy of innovation, collaboration, and positive impact in our new home,” said Content and Social Media Strategist Elizabeth Woodard. “Since joining AVID six years ago, I have witnessed the company’s incredible transformation—growing from a tight-knit team of 15 individuals to a thriving group twice that size. Throughout this remarkable evolution, one thing has remained constant—our deeply rooted culture and values. While not the only audio technology company, AVID stands out because we are not merely defined by our products or services, but by the people who drive its success. It’s this unwavering commitment to our team and community that sets us apart.”
Over the course of its 70-year history, AVID has pioneered state-of-the-art audio solutions, including its collaboration with TWA in 1961 to develop the first pneumatic headphones. Just a few years later, AVID was producing in-flight entertainment headphones for 97% of the world’s airlines. In recent years, while continuing to innovate products for the education, hospitality, lifestyle, and healthcare industries, the company also adopted a refreshed mission and refined purpose. Through partnerships with nonprofits and by creating mindful, innovative, and accessible solutions for life-long listening, the company hopes to help facilitate growth for everyone, no matter where they are on their journey.
“In an age of virtual learning, telehealth, and remote work, audio is more important than ever in our everyday lives. It’s our goal to provide affordable audio solutions without sacrificing quality,” said AVID Controller Linda Gibeau. “On the surface, we’re an audio company, but at the end of the day, the products we produce aren’t our core purpose. Instead, our audio solutions are merely tools that help the people we serve connect with others in an expanding, ever-changing digital world.”
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About AVID Products
More than just an audio company, we’re a team of employee-owners delivering and advocating for mindful, innovative, and accessible solutions for listeners of all kinds. Founded in 1953, AVID Products is a 100% employee-owned for impact company headquartered in Rhode Island committed to making a difference for future generations. Connecting people and like-minded partners for success, no matter who they are or where they are on their life-long journey, is the heart of the AVID brand. Whether delivering quality audio that leads to positive outcomes, closing the digital divide or being eco-friendly with products and services, AVID designs audio solutions, services, and programs with purpose.
Learn more and become part of the AVID Community by connecting with us at avidproducts.com or via our social networks: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
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