The client
X-Inc is the parent of a group of companies that has been in the food business since the 1930s. Covering businesses from foodservice and retail to logistics and property, X-Inc is propelled by its purpose of bringing dreams to life. It is a transformational leader that builds connections across the entire food industry to help all fulfil their aspirations and dreams.
The challenge
In Dec 2019, X-Inc shifted to its brand-new headquarters XPACE – a food innovation facility with vertically integrated spaces for ideation, testing, manufacturing, and logistics. The culinary hub consists of a comprehensive suite of co-working spaces amongst other facilities and needed to be adequately equipped with the proper infrastructure to facilitate business meetings and discussions. With the increasing importance of teleconferencing, X-Inc started to look for partners that could improve the audio and conferencing capabilities of one of the larger boardrooms.
The solution
X-Inc selected the TeamConnect Ceiling 2 (TCC2) microphone to capture audio effectively in the office boardroom. The ceiling microphone ensured that meeting participants present in the office could be heard clearly by other participants who were dialing in remotely.
In the past, X-Inc employees had to conduct their business meetings and discussions with either a conference phone or Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) phone as the old office space did not have a boardroom equipped for teleconferencing. With the move to their new headquarters, their new office had a large boardroom that could accommodate more employees while conferencing remote participants. However, relying on the office phone or laptop built-in microphone affected the quality and efficiency of the business meetings due to poor audio quality. This meant that information and ideas could not be communicated clearly and very often, employees had to raise their voices and repeat themselves which was inefficient and disruptive.
When X-Inc was looking for a solution, Neo Kwok Siang, Digitalisation Lead of X-Inc spoke to Electro-Acoustics Systems Pte Ltd (EAS) as part of their selection process. EAS is Singapore’s leading system integrator and they readily provided a few solutions according to X-Inc’s business needs. After going through the demonstrations, Sennheiser’s TCC2 was selected for its audio quality and useful applications in meetings and conferences. The ceiling microphone was installed within a week by EAS and Kwok Siang highlighted that it was a smooth and pleasant process.
Sennheiser’s TCC2 solved X-Inc’s problem of having to deal with poor audio quality. The sensitivity and voice pick-up of the ceiling microphone is excellent and all meeting participants could be heard clearly regardless of where they are in the boardroom. Hygiene risk was greatly reduced as there was no longer a need to share or pass around equipment. The staff also gave feedback that TCC2 was easy to use when setting up for conferences.
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
