The announcement also states that this acquisition "perfectly fits RCF Group’s strategy of selective M&A activity focusing on iconic brands" that leverage the Group’s competitive positioning and its technical and commercial expertise, and "fully exploit the growth potential contributing to the Group’s progress and value creation."
“We’re delighted to welcome Montarbo to our group. It’s an historic brand that has contributed to the evolution of the music and professional audio industry in Italy and around the world. For anyone who - like myself - has followed the development of this market over the years, elite brands such as Montarbo have a special significance and therefore represent a wonderful opportunity for us to increase the value of our group. RCF Group is one of the most dynamic organisations in the global professional audio industry, meaning Montarbo will be able to live up to its potential and continue to grow alongside us,” states Arturo Vicari, the CEO of RCF Group.
The RCF Group is one of the world’s leading players in the professional audio market, and includes RCF, one of the leading brands in professional sound reinforcement loudspeakers and systems since 1949, and dBTechnologies, which specializes in amplification systems for the professional audio market. In 2018, the group acquired EAW, the iconic American manufacturer of audio systems for large installations and events. This was followed in 2019 by the acquisition of Danish company DPA, a leading manufacturer of microphones for professional applications. This expansion strategy created an extended product range that covers the entire audio chain for the professional market. With over 700 employees based at facilities in Reggio Emilia, Bologna, Ascoli Piceno, Whitinsville (USA) and Alleroed (Denmark), the RCF Group currently distributes its products to over 130 countries.
Montarbo was founded in 1962 by Sergio Montanari, with the company's 453 amplification mixer released on the market as the company's first product. A portable case, with the lids used as a support, which contained a six-channel mixer, a 100-Watt amplifier and an echo unit that was subsequently patented worldwide; the 453 was the first product of its kind and provided a fabulous start for Montarbo. The brand itself was created by Sergio Montanari combining his surname with the BO suffix - for Bologna - his hometown. The 453 also introduced the Italian brand to the world.
In the early 1980s, Montarbo launched a passive speaker, which was very reliable, and used high-quality integrated speakers resulting from a close partnership between Montarbo and the company that later would become B&C Speakers. Over the years, Montarbo manufactured multiple successful portable speakers for PA applications, both active and passive, gradually expanding its Made in Italy products globally.
www.rcf.it | www.montarbo.com
