French loudspeaker manufacturers Active Audio and APG have announced the signing of strategic alliance at ProLight + Sound 2016.
Both brands will remain separate companies with separate distribution networks – Active Audio will
continue to focus on the public address market while APG will still cater for live events
and large venue installations.
As a result, Régis Cazin, steps up as CEO of both
Active Audio and APG with immediate effect. Active Audio will now hold 60% of APG shares
while APG’s historical shareholders, Jean-Luc Moncel, Philippe Frarier and Grégory Dapsanse, will hold the majority
of the remaining shares (bringing the total to 66%).
Discussion began in early November, and no
job losses will occur as part of this deal.
Both parties were keen to stress
the synergies between the two companies, giving stadiums as one example - Active can supply the
column speakers around the inside of the pitch and APG can supply large speakers for pitch-side.