Barco acquires VerVent Audio Holding and strengthens its integrated audiovisual portfolio.
The company has announced that it has reached an agreement in principle to acquire 100% of the shares of VerVent Audio Holding (VerVent), a French-British premium audio company active in high-end audio systems, headphones, and automotive OEM audio solutions, with the Focal and Naim brands.
The agreement represents a strategic expansion of Barco’s portfolio, positioning the company as a provider of fully integrated audiovisual solutions.
Today marks an important step in Barco’s ambition to shape the future of immersive audiovisual experiences. By bringing VerVent and its iconic Focal and Naim brands into the Barco family, we accelerate our strategy to deliver fully integrated solutions where image and sound work seamlessly together. Building on our leadership in visualization, we are expanding into entertainment. The addition of high-fidelity audio enhances the overall experience of our offering across high-end residential environments, home entertainment, and professional markets. This combination expands our reach, strengthens our technological capabilities, and positions us to capture new opportunities across the audiovisual value chain. We are excited about this next chapter, comments An Steegen, CEO of Barco.
VerVent, headquartered in Saint-Étienne (France), is a premium audio group with a long track record in designing and manufacturing high-end systems under its globally recognized Focal and Naim brands. Its portfolio includes premium loudspeakers, immersive and active audio solutions, headphones, studio monitors, and OEM systems for automotive and marine applications, along with a growing custom installation and home cinema offering. VerVent’s strong global retail and distribution network — with more than 80 premium boutiques and thousands of sales points — provides an immediate platform to accelerate go-to-market activities.
The premium audio market — combining audiophile consumer audio and the high-end home cinema segment — is estimated at more than €3 billion, driven by trends such as immersive sound, active speakers, integrated systems, and direct-to-consumer sales models.
The transaction will enable Barco to move forward with integrated audiovisual solutions, offering high-end visualization and audio systems to both professional and consumer customers. Beyond the residential segment, it also opens opportunities in home cinema, public spaces, and professional cinema, building on Barco’s leadership in cinema and high-end residential visualization, as well as VerVent’s expertise in premium audio.
The enterprise value of the transaction is approximately €135 million. The acquisition will be financed with Barco’s own funds. VerVent generates annual revenues of around €110 million. Barco expects to realize synergies in the coming years and, following this acquisition, maintains its long-term EBITDA margin target of 15% by 2028.
Following completion, VerVent will be integrated into Barco’s Entertainment division. The company plans to support VerVent’s ongoing strategic plan, focused on high-end premium audio positioning, technological evolution toward digital, active, and connected products, portfolio rationalization, and leveraging its sales network, including consumer channels and brand licensing.
