Reveal Computer Products
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer peripherals |
| Founded | 1992 |
| Founder | Beny Alagem, Alex Sandel, Jason Barzilay |
| Defunct | 1996 |
| Fate | Filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and dissolved |
| Headquarters | Woodland Hills, California , United States |
Area served | IBM PC peripheral market |
Key people | Beny Alagem, Alex Sandel, Jason Barzilay |
| Products | Multimedia enhancement kits, video cards, audio cards, tape backup drives, modems, CD-ROM drives, joysticks |
Number of employees | 300 (early 1996), ~30 (August 1996) |
| Parent | Packard Bell Electronics |
Reveal Computer Products, Inc., operating between 1992 and 1996, was a U.S.-based manufacturer of computer peripherals and functioned as a subsidiary under Packard Bell Electronics. It held a notable position within the IBM PC peripheral sector, generating annual revenues surpassing US$200 million prior to its bankruptcy filing in 1996, which followed an unsuccessful $65-million merger attempt with Creative Technology.
History
Established in 1992 by the founders of Packard Bell Electronics, including Beny Alagem, Alex Sandel, and Jason Barzilay, Reveal was based in Woodland Hills, California. The company initially specialized in multimedia enhancement kits designed for IBM PCs and compatible systems, offering products such as video and audio cards. In June 1994, Reveal introduced the Quantum upgrade kit, which comprised an Ensoniq Soundscape wavetable synthesis sound card, a Panasonic CD-ROM drive, speakers, a microphone headset, a joystick, and a collection of 35 video games. This package was well-received by the market and earned an Editors' Choice accolade from PC Magazine.
By early 1995, Reveal broadened its offerings to include tape backup drives, modems, standalone CD-ROM drives sourced from LG Electronics, and joysticks. The company placed a substantial order valued at $150 million for one million LG CD-ROM units. Its premium modem models, such as the Decathlon, combined wavetable synthesis technology with network connectivity features.
In October 1995, Singapore-based Creative Technology announced intentions to acquire Reveal through a $65 million stock exchange deal. This acquisition was intended to retain Reveal as a Creative subsidiary while providing Packard Bell with vital cash flow amid financial pressures. Nevertheless, Creative withdrew from the agreement in November due to shareholder apprehensions concerning debt levels and management burdens. Industry analysts also raised concerns about Reveal’s disclosure practices related to its debt and profit margins during the merger discussions.
After the collapse of the acquisition deal, Reveal’s financial condition worsened. By June 1996, the company ceased launching new products; technical support services were discontinued soon after, resulting in negative customer feedback online. The workforce shrank dramatically from 300 employees at the beginning of 1996 to approximately 30 by August as operations were downsized to optimize creditor recovery. By autumn 1996, nearly the entire staff had been let go. On October 6, 1996, Reveal filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection and subsequently dissolved.