From a manufacturer of audio amplifier modules, ICEpower is evolving to become an engineering and audio design house, focusing on developing complete high-quality audio solutions. ICEpower takes complete ownership of the product development and operations value chain, with direct operations across Denmark, Europe, Thailand, Japan, and the US.
Founded in 1999 as a joint venture with Bang & Olufsen, the ICEpower management team carved out the company as part of a management buy-out through a partnership with Dansk Ejerkapital in 2016, in order to pursue an ambitious growth strategy.
Under the leadership of Keld Lindegaard Andersen (CEO), ICEpower was transformed to become a leading design house and trusted partner to global audio brands within the professional and high-end segments of the audio industry. In the last 5 years alone, the company has enjoyed stellar double-digit revenue growth and expansion from 15 to over 100 engineers.
"The management decision to continue this journey together with Crestline was easy for us. Crestline and ICEpower are truly global, and we share the same global mindset. Crestline is known to be ambitious, so are we, and Crestline operates by creating the framework for setting organizations and individuals free to perform on their Business Plan," explains Keld Lindegaard Andersen, CEO of ICEpower.
Ronnie Møller-Thorsøe, Partner at Dansk Ejerkapital, commented: "It has been a fantastic growth journey so far, where a global market leader in its niche has been formed. Recently entered customer partnerships underpin the significant potential to be unlocked in the future. As a continuing shareholder, we look forward to realize the next growth phase together with Crestline and Management."
Andrey Panna, Managing Director at Crestline Europe LLP, explains the rationale for the investment: "We are impressed with the Company’s engineering and design expertise, its leading market position globally, depth and breadth of its relationships with blue-chip customers in the high-end audio market, and exciting growth prospects. We look forward to supporting ICEpower and the management team in its continuing growth and value creation,"
Crestline Investors was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, and maintains affiliate offices in New York, London, Toronto and Tokyo. The firm’s London-based affiliate Crestline Europe, specializes in private capital investments in lower mid-market and mid-market companies, and asset platforms in developed markets of Western Europe. The investment is issued by Crestline Management, and Crestline Europe together.
"Together with Crestline, ICEpower aims to pursue the next phase of its growth strategy, and to become the preferred partner for outsourced product creation to the leaders of the audio industry," the company adds.
ICEpower and the current shareholders were advised by Stifel (financial advisor), DLA Piper (legal advisor), and Deloitte Denmark (financial and tax). Crestline was advised by Bech-Bruun (legal advisor), Fairgrove (commercial), and Mazars (financial). The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close towards the middle of October.
www.crestlineinvestors.com
www.icepoweraudio.com
