Weekly Recap: Latest News in the Pro AV World
LG and Other Companies' Acquisitions Kickstart 2025 with a Frenzy of Activity within the professional-audio sector
It's been a flurry these past few weeks in the Pro AV world, filled with acquisitions, people moves, and partnerships galore. Buckle up and dive into the latest scoop!
Acquisitions:
- LG Electronics to Advance Robotics with Bear Robotics: LG Electronics has set its sights on enhancing its robotics capabilities by securing a majority stake in Bear Robotics, a Silicon Valley-based startup specializing in AI-driven autonomous service robots. Get all the details here.
- VuWall Under New Ownership: Private equity firm Naxicap has acquired VuWall, with previous acquisitions of Guntermann & Drunck (2020) and Tritec Electronic (2022) under its belt. The alignment under Naxicap is expected to create exceptional synergy, allowing the companies to leverage each other's technology and market presence. Learn more here.
- CTI Acquires Delta AV: CTI has made another acquisition, adding Delta AV of Gresham, OR as its 39th U.S. location, extending its coverage of the Pacific Northwest to the Portland Metro Area. Read all about it here.
People News:
- L-Acoustics Names Bryan Bradley as CEO Americas: After serving as the president of Group One Limited and roles at Harman, Bryan Bradley has joined L-Acoustics as CEO Americas. He now oversees all North, Central, and South American operations and shares his time between the global hub in Westlake Village, CA, and a new Americas operations and creative hub at Nashville Yards. Read the full story here.
- FOR-A Americas Appoints Director of Solutions Development: FOR-A America has appointed Joe Paryzek to the newly created position director, solutions development, where he will focus on key account management, customer communication and driving development of FOR-A's technology with a focus on IP based-software defined solutions. His rich engineering and customer service background will serve him well in this role.
- Group One Limited Announces New Leadership Team: Austin Freshwater has been appointed to serve as the new CEO for Group One, managing director for DiGiCo and SVP of sales for SSL. Rikk Naqvi has been appointed as SVP, sales for SSL with responsibilities for the sales of all SSL hardware products in the United States and Mexico.
- Franck Racapé Joins Iagona as Managing Director Strategy and Development: With a solid experience in the audiovisual and digital solutions sector, Franck Racapé joins French AV manufacturer and SI, Iagona as managing director strategy and development, responsible for driving and accelerating Iagona's strategic transformation.
- SMPTE Selects Raymond Yeung to Serve as Standards Vice President: Raymond Yeung, head of content standards at Amazon MGM Studios Technology, has been chosen to serve as the new standards vice president for SMPTE. He shares his vision for the role here.
Company News:
- B-Tech and Data Tech Partner for Latin America: B-Tech AV Mounts has entered into a distribution agreement with Florida-based Data Tech, which will distribute B-Tech products throughout Central and South America. Read more here.
- Listen Technologies and Ampetronic Strengthen Partnership: Listen Technologies Corporation and Ampetronic have joined forces to improve assistive listening and communication solutions. The partnership aims to leverage decades of expertise and bring innovative audio solutions to customers and partners. Read the full press release here.
- PPDS Signs Multi-Year Digital Display Contract with Oracle Red Bull Racing: As part of a multi-year contract extension, PPDS has become a team partner and the sole supplier of digital displays to Oracle Red Bull Racing. The collaboration aims to enhance the race day experience for VIP guests inside the team's famous Paddock Club. View the press release.
- Utelogy Partners with Ascentae: Utelogy and Ascentae have joined forces to offer innovative workplace solutions that enhance collaboration and productivity. Ascentae, a technology distributor in the U.K., will integrate Utelogy's advanced technology management software into its portfolio, helping workplace brands improve operational efficiency and make data-driven decisions. Check out the announcement.
- The acquisition of VuWall by Naxicap is expected to create synergies, allowing the companies to leverage each other's technology and market presence in the business sector.
- LG Electronics' acquisition of Bear Robotics will bolster its robotics capabilities, as the startup specializes in AI-driven autonomous service robots.
- The partnership between Listen Technologies and Ampetronic aims to bring innovative audio solutions to customers and partners, strengthening their focus on assistive listening and communication technologies in the finance industry.
