d&b group, the market leader in professional audio systems and AVLM solution provider, announced today a major investment by Providence, a premier private equity firm specializing in growth-oriented investments in media, communications, education and technology. With the support of Providence, d&b plans to further strengthen its global market-leading position in the professional audio market while also further integrating its capabilities in the Audio Visual, Lighting and Media (AVLM) solutions sector.
Providence has a track record of investing in businesses that deliver world-class technology and experiences. As part of the transaction, the d&b management team will also acquire a stake in the company, ensuring long-term leadership and strategic continuity. The parties have agreed not to reveal details of the transaction, and the conclusion of the transaction is subject to approval by the relevant antitrust authorities.
Founded in 1981 and based in Backnang, Germany, d&b is one of the world’s leading providers of professional premium audio technology (“d&b audiotechnik”) and, in recent years, has extended the business into integrated AVLM solutions (“d&b solutions”). Since the company’s acquisition by leading private equity firm Ardian, d&b’s previous owner, in 2016, sales have tripled. The number of employees has also risen sharply from 350 in 2016 to a global team of more than 1000 with offices in major cities around the globe.
The global growth trend for events, concerts and major events has continued unchanged after a forced break due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is accompanied by the increasing professionalization and digitization of these events and thus an increasing need for professional event technologies. As one of the world's leading system providers for audio technology and integrated audio, video, light and media solutions (AVLM) with a comprehensive portfolio of hardware and software technologies, we are perfectly positioned to gain further market share. Ardian has proven to be a reliable business partner over the past few years. Thanks to their unwavering support, especially during the pandemic, we have been able to innovate during this period of crisis and to emerge stronger from it. We look forward to continuing our successful journey with Providence and cementing our global position as a leader in professional audio and integrated AVLM solutions.Amnon Harman, CEO d&b Group
d&b bears the hallmarks of a classic Providence investment – it is a business with innovation at its core, clear market leadership and loyal customers. d&b’s passionate team has advanced and defined industry standards and exceeded client expectations for the last four decades. We believe d&b will continue its growth trajectory by delivering spectacular experiences to audiences across the globe. With our solid track record of investing in live entertainment and technology companies, we are confident Providence is the ideal partner to support d&b and we look forward to working with Amnon and his hugely talented team to execute our shared vision for the business.Robert Sudo, Managing Director Providence
The needs of customers in live entertainment are becoming ever more complex, which has expanded d&b’s addressable opportunities. We were impressed by d&b’s passionate management team and with Providence’s resources and network, we are committed to supporting d&b’s strategic plan.Andrew Tisdale, Senior Managing Director Providence
We would like to thank Amnon Harman and his team for their hard work, unwavering commitment and, above all, the trust they have placed in us over the past seven years. d&b has an outstanding corporate culture that is embodied by each and every employee. The contribution of all d&b colleagues has been essential to the Group’s success, including significant growth, a strategic transformation and strong international positioning. We are proud to have accompanied d&b on this journey together and we wish the entire team and Providence the very best for the next chapter in the company’s history.Dr. Alexander Friedrich, Managing Director Buyout, ARDIAN / Stefan Kappis, Director Buyout, ARDIAN
d&b group names James Gallagher-Powell as Chief Strategy Officer to drive growth and innovation, enhancing its role as an experience technology company.
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d&b audiotechnik announces the appointment of Mike Case to Vice President Global Marketing effective February 1st, 2023. The new role will also include continued responsibility for Segment (Market) Development and Artist Relations.
Underscoring its commitment to providing immersive solutions for the event technology industry, d&b has appointed Al McKinna as Vice President of its new Immersive business unit. The creation of the new business unit will be a key enabler of d&b's...
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d&b audiotechnik today announces the appointment of Jan Biermann, Head of Research and Development at d&b, to the Board of Directors of the Open Control Architecture (OCA) Alliance. The OCA Alliance is a non-profit corporation formed to promote and...
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d&b audiotechnik announces Arva Oy will distribute the full range of d&b products across Finland and Estonia, effective January 1st 2022. Arva Oy is a subsidiary of Arva Trading AB who also distribute d&b in Sweden, Norway and Denmark.
German audio technology and solutions company d&b today announced it will strengthen its service-focused d&b solutions business with the acquisition of UK-based Audio Visual, Lighting and Media (AVLM) business White Light. Established in May this...
d&b CEO Amnon Harman has been included in Installation's inaugural Pro AV Watch List. The list highlights the biggest influencers in AV in 2021 and beyond.
Counterfeit products are an ongoing issue for our industry and d&b is not immune to products being fraudulently presented and sold as genuine d&b systems.
German audio technology and solutions company d&b today announced the establishment of a new service-focused business entity, d&b solutions GmbH & Co. KG. The new entity will further enable d&b to offer end-to-end expertise in the areas of project...
April the 18th is a very special day for d&b. 40 years ago to the day, professional audio history was made when two young men, Jürgen Daubert and Rolf Belz, registered their new company, d&b audiotechnik.
d&b is addressing the global trend of “pay what you consume” and offers an alternative to ownership. The Subscription-Series allows venue owners to upgrade their audiences’ sound experience with a brand-new d&b system without a large, upfront capital...
German audio technology and solution company d&b audiotechnik today announced its new Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program offering customers the chance to purchase remanufactured d&b systems.
Paul passed away on June 5 after a short illness. He joined the d&b Advisory Board in 2016. As a non-executive director he contributed immensely to d&b's development.
d&b today announced a Product Warranty Extension Program to support customers into the future. The product warranty Extension Program is only one part of d&b’s overall Covid -19 response.
d&b is closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and understands that it is impacting all of us. We hope you, your family, and friends are staying safe and healthy during this challenging time.
d&b audiotechnik GmbH in Backnang, one of the world's leading companies for professional audio solutions, recently appointed its five hundredth co-worker. Max Sperling (34) officially became the five hundredth co-worker when his name was drawn from...
With still so few women in the pro-audio industry, it can be hard to connect with each other. In October 2017, some of them from Europe and North America took the opportunity to join the first System Reality Workshop of soundgirls.org and d&b...
After 31 years with d&b, Kay Lange, Chief Financial Officer of d&b audiotechnik, is handing over his role to the next generation. Lange had already made this decision in 2016, in agreement with investors and the management team, to spend more time...
d&b audiotechnik is expanding its Research and Development department and has appointed a new member to its management team. With effect from August 1st, Jan Biermann takes over from Frank Bothe as Head of Research and Development. Bothe will now...
d&b audiotechnik GmbH, one of the world's leading companies for professional sound reinforcement systems, is creating more space for production at headquarters in Backnang, Germany. The development sees the international Logistics and Shipping...
d&b audiotechnik has appointed David Claringbold as Chief Marketing Officer. The former Director of Sydney Opera House, and member of the d&b audiotechnik Advisory Board, joins the management team effective March 29, reporting directly to CEO Amnon...
d&b audiotechnik is pleased to announce the appointment of Stephan Greiner as Chief Sales Officer. From 1st March Mr Greiner will serve as a member of the Managing Board, reporting directly to Amnon Harman CEO.
Leading loudspeaker manufacturer, d&b audiotechnik, has announced the creation of a new advisory board which has been appointed to support the strategy implementation process at d&b.
Leading loudspeaker systems manufacturer, d&b audiotechnik, has announced it has joined the AVnu Alliance, the industry consortium that fosters the adoption of AVB/TSN (Audio Video Bridging/Time Sensitive Networking) protocols and an open ecosystem...
d&b audiotechnik previewed two new products and a significant software update at Prolight + Sound, Frankfurt, one of the largest pro audio exhibitions in the international calendar.
February might be a little early for tulips in Amsterdam but it is the perfect time to become acquainted with the quality installation solutions offered by d&b audiotechnik at Stand 7-C175 at ISE in the Amsterdam RAI between 10th and 12th February...
d&b audiotechnik is boosting its cooperation with Neumann&Müller (N&M) Event Technology with a five-year agreement. N&M bring to life the high-quality events with state-of-the-art equipment. The agreement between the companies involves the supply of...
Prominent loudspeaker system manufacturer d&b audiotechnik has appointed Amnon Harman as CEO effective July 7th, 2014. In this newly created position, Harman will drive the continued success of the German premium provider, taking responsibility for...
