Based in Allerod, Denmark, DPA Microphones is a leading brand in the high-end professional audio microphone market for the live, broadcast, theatre and studio end-user segments, recognized for the quality of its products, and continuously pushing the boundaries in terms of performance and durability.
The Riverside Company is a global private equity firm with an international portfolio of investments in more than 80 companies. Riverside invested in DPA in late 2013, attracted by its compelling brand and high-quality products, in addition to its strong product development capabilities. The firm helped DPA accelerate growth by expanding product offerings like its CORE amplifier technology within its line of miniature lavalier and headset microphones. Riverside also supported DPA's efforts to enhance global sales and distribution, product development and manufacturing efficiencies.
During Riverside’s investment, DPA’s sales and EBITDA nearly doubled while its product portfolio and distribution network grew significantly. “Together with the DPA team, we were able to achieve all of our goals for this investment,” says Riverside Partner Karsten Langer. “The company saw considerable expansion of its distribution network and increased sales in a number of key markets. Its microphones are the absolute leader in the high-end pro-audio market, used on every continent and sold world-wide by more than 2,000 dealers.”
RCF Group, with companies and subsidiaries located in USA and Europe, is a leading player in the professional audio industry, designing, manufacturing and distributing an extensive range of professional audio solutions in the retail, install and touring market. With a history dating back to 1949, the RCF Group operates under the companies RCF, AEB Industriale (dB Technologies) and EAW, and generates over 80% of its revenues outside of Italy in 120 countries.
In 2017 two prominent European private equity players, Palladio Holding and Amundi Private Equity Funds, invested in RCF Group with a minority stake in order to support and enhance the group in its ambitious growth plans.
Following the September 2018 acquisition of EAW, with its iconic history in install and touring sound, the acquisition of DPA represents a second important milestone on RCF Group’s impressive growth path. As Arturo Vicari, CEO of RCF Group, explains, “Since my early days I have been fascinated by the world of microphones. Our portfolio already represents excellence in pro audio and we are very proud to add to our roster DPA – a company that also represents excellence in the microphone industry. We can now offer the complete audio chain, from microphones to speakers for the satisfaction of professionals around the world."
During Riverside's ownership, CEO Kalle Hvidt Nielsen, a former CEO of Bang and Olufsen and Brüel & Kjær, was appointed to lead DPA. As he states, “It has been a pleasure working with the Riverside team and being a part of this great success. I’m proud of the work we’ve accomplished together. Share of sales coming from new products are up from less than 5% to more than 40%, and all major areas in the business have been professionalized and streamlined. Now we look forward to a bright future under new ownership in a Group with an uncompromising quality oriented approach to the Pro Audio business."
www.rcf-group.it | www.dpamicrophones.com
