Calrec Audio acquired by D&M Holdings

By Kevin Hilton
SVG Europe correspondent

British mixing console manufacturer Calrec Audio, whose digital desks are used by almost all UK OB companies on major sporting events, has been bought by D&M Holdings. The sale was announced this morning and came as something of a surprise to the industry and employees of the company itself.

D&M is a Japanese holding company that owns a number of leading brand name manufacturers in the consumer electronics, audio-visual, live music and automotive sound sectors. Among its subsidiaries are Marantz, Denon, Boston Acoustics and ReplayTV.

The acquisition of Calrec marks D&M’s first move into the professional audio market. Based in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, Calrec manufactures mixing consoles for the broadcast sector, with particular success in outside broadcasts and live-to-air TV production.

Commenting on the deal Eric C Evans, chairman and chief executive of D&M, said, “The acquisition of Calrec is an important step in our stated growth strategy to expand into new markets, specifically commercial audio-visual.

With Calrec we’re adding another premium brand to the D&M family, one that places us firmly in the broadcast market and services the most prominent customers throughout the world, including the BBC, ITV, NBC and Asahi.”

D&M is known for letting companies continue to run their own affairs, albeit with the expectation of greater productivity in return for the investment. The existing Calrec management and support structure is to remain in place and, according to sources, there are no plans to move any part of the manufacturing process from Hebden Bridge.