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silversport
08-16-2006, 03:00 PM
Released yesterday afternoon:

Klipsch Group, Inc. Acquires Audio Products International



INDIANAPOLIS, August 15 2006 – Klipsch Group, Inc., parent company of Klipsch Audio Technologies, announced today the acquisition of Audio Products International Corp., (API), one of the largest speaker manufacturers in the world and makers of the Mirage®, Energy® and Athena® Technologies brands.



“The acquisition of API will assist Klipsch in our commitment to greatly improve business operations on a global level,” said Fred Klipsch, chairman, Klipsch Group. “This purchase is another step in our strategic plan of adding unique and successful loudspeaker companies to our portfolio of products.”



Klipsch Group is the parent company of Klipsch Audio Technologies, Jamo International and API Brand, with the companies remaining independently operated entities. The product design and engineering of the API brands will also remain separate to maintain their respective unique character and personality. Nonetheless, the Klipsch, Jamo and API brand teams will work in a cooperative fashion to develop global technology platforms and product strategies that leverage investments in R&D insuring the Klipsch group of brands stay on the cutting-edge of product, technology and brand development.



“API is world renowned for product design, particularly as it relates to speaker size, mobility and performance,” added Klipsch. The move allows us to enhance the way we develop innovative products and solutions that bring added-value offerings to all of our customers in the audio products industry.”



The acquisition of API will also allow Klipsch Group to expand its vision of offering and producing no-compromise, premium-quality audio products to multiple markets worldwide. As one of the first U.S. loudspeaker companies, Klipsch has continued to be the high-performance brand of choice for audiophiles and home theater aficionados around the world and this will only strengthen that relationship. In addition, each of the Klipsch Group brands will be featured at CEDIA EXPO 2006, held in Denver, CO September 13-17.





About API



Founded in 1973 and headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Audio Products International Corp. (API) is one of the top manufacturers of high-performance loudspeakers in the world. API manufactures over 200-models of speakers and exports to over 50 countries under the company’s three world-renowned brands:

Energy Speaker Systems, Mirage and Athena Technologies. In 2006 API is entering the professional market with the launch of its Energy Pro division. The API headquarters includes a state-of-the-art research and design facility. Lead by Ian Paisley, API’s VP of Engineering and world renowned acoustic researcher, API was a pioneering member of the Canadian National Research Center’s studies to determine the design characteristics of a great sounding loudspeaker. API’s continued psycho-acoustic research along with their three anechoic test chambers, maintain the highest levels of engineering excellence and product performance.



About Klipsch Group, Inc.

Headquartered in Indianapolis, Klipsch Group, Inc. oversees the strategic direction and overall business operations of its five wholly-owned divisions—Klipsch Audio Technologies and Jamo International, as well as Klipsch Group Americas, Klipsch Group Europe and Klipsch Group Asia Pacific distribution management companies. Klipsch Audio Technologies is a leading global manufacturer of high-performance, horn-loaded loudspeakers for the consumer and professional markets with worldwide headquarters in Indianapolis. Jamo International, headquartered in Glynore, Denmark, manufactures and markets consumer loudspeakers with a strong focus on innovative technology and Danish design. The three distribution management companies are charged with selling Klipsch, Jamo and now API branded products in their respective geographies. Klipsch Group Americas, responsible for North, South and Central America, is located in Indianapolis. Klipsch Group Europe and Klipsch Group Asia Pacific are managed out of Copenhagen with a subsidiary being planned for Asia. For more information, please visit www.klipsch.com.






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Amy Unger

(stolen from the Klipschforum for inquiring minds...)
Bill

Clmrt
08-16-2006, 03:12 PM
I really like API's stuff. I hope this will help, not hurt.

BuckNaked
08-16-2006, 04:38 PM
I first saw Athena loudspeakers at the local BestBuy, next to the Klipsch display.
I never figured Klipsch to be a big box dept store brand, but I guess the Synergy line fit there. At the time I thought the Athena line was a private label by Klipsch for sale at Best Buy.
I guess it was just a matter of time, and, need I say... 'KARMA?'

whell
08-17-2006, 07:49 AM
My guess is that this transaction has many layers of benefit for Klipsch. R&D is expensive, and there may be some good synergies between the products of the various speaker lines.

However, I'll bet we'll be seeing more of this, not less. And, I'll be that one of the big benefits of this transaction for Klipsch is found in this sentence:

"The acquisition of API will also allow Klipsch Group to expand its vision of offering and producing no-compromise, premium-quality audio products to multiple markets worldwide."

You need to be big to compete effectively in the global market, and sometimes its easier to buy companies that have distribution channels already established, than it is to try to push your way into a market on your own.

Tom Brennan
08-18-2006, 02:54 PM
""The acquisition of API will also allow Klipsch Group to expand its vision of offering and producing no-compromise, premium-quality audio products to multiple markets worldwide.""


And just what "no compromise, premium quality" products would those be? Fred's garage door openers?

Bigerik
08-18-2006, 03:57 PM
Damn!
No offense at all to Klipsch or Kipsch fans (have owned them meself), but I hate to see a large, successful Canadian company get bought out by a foreign one. API has a really great facility in Toronto, and there customer support and service practices have been great. Sounds like Klipsch will be a good parent company, but I cannot help but be nervous for the future of API.
Maybe they will offer horn retrofit kits for my Energys! :)
Erik