The deal completes a move made by Digigram when it acquired a 44.76% stake in Innova Son in January 2001. Digigram now owns 100 percent of Innova Son, but says the company will preserve its own identity and commercial autonomy within the Digigram group. Innova Son products will continue to be distributed by the company's established network, while Digigram will provide sales support in markets that the company has yet to penetrate. Innova Son’s current management remains in place, with Philippe Royer as managing director in charge of sales and marketing and Gérard Malvot as technical director.
"We think this acquisition will lead to the development of technological synergies, particularly with the transfer of skills and the release of new products under the Innova Son brand name," said Digigram managing director Philippe Delacroix. "In the near future you might see Innova Son consoles compatible with Digigram’s breakthrough EtherSound technology."
The Innova SON acquisition reinforces Digigram’s ambition to realize 40% of its 2002 activity in the public address market, which includes fixed installations, live sound, and sound reinforcement. "Joining the Digigram group provides us with the additional resources to fulfil our product development and process industrialization ambitions," commented Royer. "While many professional users have validated our technology, digitalization of live sound is still in its infancy and there are many opportunities ahead for us."
John Falcone, president and CEO of Sennheiser US, Innova SON's exclusive distributor in the US, welcomes the new organization: "Momentum and growth continue to define Innova Son’s success story in the US. Now that they have teamed up with Digigram, their vision to deliver the next generation of digital consoles to the market is certainly accelerated."
Digigram digital audio solutions are key to the success of public address and pro sound installations, as well as broadcast and media production companies worldwide. We develop innovative networked audio devices, computer sound cards, and audio management software. Digigram Powered solutions are installed in thousands of radio and television stations; corporate and commercial sound installations; and audio recording and video post-production facilities around the globe.
(Lee Baldock)
