Barco reinforces its presence in audio with the purchase of VerVent

Barco closes a preliminary agreement to acquire the 100% of the shares of VerVent Audio Holding, a French-British premium audio company specializing in high-end audio systems, headsets and audio solutions for OEMs (OEM) of the automotive sector, with premium audio brands such as Focal and Naim.

In alleys, Boat CEO, comments that this operation represents a “important step in Barco's ambition to shape the future of immersive audiovisual experiences. By welcoming VerVent and its iconic Focal and Naim brands to the Barco family, We accelerate our strategy to offer fully integrated solutions where image and sound seamlessly reinforce each other. Building on our leadership in visualization, we bet on entertainment”.

“The addition of high-fidelity audio strengthens the overall experience of our offering in high-end residential environments and a broader home entertainment audience., as well as in professional markets. This combination expands our reach, deepens our technological capabilities and positions us to take advantage of new opportunities throughout the audiovisual value chain. “We are excited to embark on this new chapter together.”, has added.

VerVent, with sede in Saint-Étienne, France, is a premium audio group with a long history in the design and manufacture of audio systems. high-end audio under its Focal and Naim brands, world-renowned. Its product portfolio covers high-end speakers, immersive and active audio solutions, headphones, studio monitors and OEM systems for automotive and marine, complemented by a growing offering of personalized installations and home cinema. VerVent's strong global distribution and retail network, which includes more than 80 high-end boutiques and thousands of points of sale, provides an immediate platform to accelerate market entry.

The premium audio market, combining audiophile consumer audio and high-end home theater, is estimated at more than 3.000 million euros and is driven by immersive sound trends, active speakers, Integrated systems and direct-to-consumer sales models.

Integrated solutions

This combination will allow Barco to evolve towards integrated audiovisual solutions, offering solutions high-end audio and display both private and professional clients. Beyond the domestic and consumer segment, This will also create opportunities to develop audiovisual proposals integrated into home cinema, public spaces and professional cinema, leveraging Barco solutions for high-end residential cinema and display, as well as VerVent's experience in premium audio. The enterprise value of the acquisition is approximately 135 million euros. The transaction is expected to be financed with Barco's own funds. VerVent generates annual revenue of around 110 million euros. Barco hopes to obtain synergies in the coming years. With this acquisition, Barco reaffirms its long-term EBITDA margin forecast of 15 % to 2028.

After closing the operation, VerVent will be integrated into Barco's Entertainment division. Barco intends to support the company's current strategic plan, which focuses on positioning in high-end premium audio, technological update towards digital products, active and connected, rationalizing the portfolio and taking advantage of its sales network, including consumer channels and brand licenses.