PARIS, FRANCE: Bigben Group has completed of the acquisition of Metronic within its Audio/Telco Division.
Metronic is the European leader in image processing with a strong position in connected audio-video.
Founded in 1987 by Yves Bouget, Metronic, a recognized player in its sector, designs and distributes innovative products for broadcasting and receiving images in the home (TV and audio accessories, amplifiers, decoders, connectors, headsets, speakers, etc.) as well as telephone accessories and audio products. METRONIC brand products are distributed through a variety of channels, notably through the largest national retailers in each country.
Metronic has offices in France (Tours), Spain and Italy, and employs approximately 90 people. Including its subsidiaries, Metronic posted sales of €24 million and EBITDA of €1.9 million as of December 31, 2020.
With the acquisition of Metronic, the Bigben Group is integrating a renowned player that will greatly contribute to the development of its Audio/Telco business.
Mr. Eric Tabone, President of METRONIC, will manage the Company with a great autonomy in order to pursue and accelerate METRONIC’s current development strategy.
The acquisition from the HF Company Group of the entire share capital and voting rights of METRONIC SAS for €12 million paid in cash was completed on 15 October 2021 after the Board of Directors of Bigben had previously approved the transaction.
Two capped earn-outs may be paid in cash in 2023 and 2024 up to a total aggregate amount of €4 million.
“This acquisition represents a new stage in the strategy of Bigben’s Audio Telco unit, bringing new know-how and accelerating the conquest of new channels and listings. Proud to welcome METRONIC and its teams, the Bigben Group will support the growth of the current strategy and new, even more ambitious projects. This acquisition confirms our objective of becoming a major player in connected AudioVideo and Telco in Europe”, declared Mr. Fabrice Lemesre, Bigben’s CEO.
“We are delighted to join the Bigben Group, a leading player in the Audio/Telco industry, whose vision, ambition and corporate values we fully share. Joining the Bigben Group is a unique opportunity to accelerate our development while integrating an environment conducive to the creation of ever more innovative products” declares Mr. Eric Tabone, President of METRONIC.
Bigben’s “AudioVideo/Telco” business unit has 9 sites (3 in France, 4 in Europe, 2 in Asia) with a total of 310 employees.