Biamp has acquired Audioprof Group International, parent company of Community Professional Loudspeakers based in Philadelphia PA, and Apart Audio based in Antwerp, Belgium, from 3d Investors of Gent, Belgium.
Founded in 1968 by speaker-design pioneer Bruce Howze, Community Professional Loudspeakers has a long history. Today, the company is an established manufacturer of premium speakers targeting demanding indoor and outdoor applications including commercial, leisure, stadiums and other large venues. Community Professional Loudspeakers was acquired by Audioprof Group International back in 2015, an acquisition that was also covered by Sound & Communications.
Apart Audio specializes in full signal path functional and commercial audio solutions for small and mid-size venues including retail, food service, education and small offices. It offers an array of speakers, as well as amplifiers, mixers, controllers and paging stations. Apart has a well-established business in Europe and just entered into the North American market in 2018.
“I am tremendously excited to complete this transaction,” Rashid Skaf, Biamp President, CEO and Co-Chairman, said. “Building a comprehensive lineup of speakers has been a priority of mine as we move to position Biamp as a full-line provider of professional audiovisual solutions. Acquiring Apart Audio and Community Loudspeakers was my preferred route to accomplishing that quickly with incredibly strong and respected brands. The many products added to our portfolio give us powerful positions in several key growth markets for Biamp—most notably retail, hospitality, restaurants, stadiums and outdoor venues. With this move, Biamp has clearly established itself as a leader in the pro AV market.”
Under Skaf’s direction, Biamp has charted a growth strategy that blends organic product line and distribution expansion with entry into new markets via acquisition. The addition of Audioprof Group International comes just seven months after the company acquired Cambridge Sound Management.
Community Loudspeakers and Apart Audio will join Biamp as product families within the company’s portfolio, with business functions gradually blending to form a single Biamp business.