RCF sells SGM to focus on audio
Published: ASIA
WORLD: RCF Group has sold its SGM lighting division to a consortium headed by Danish entrepreneur Peter Johansen, with effect from February 1st 2012.
The Italian manufacturer believes that by divesting itself of the lighting interest it purchased in April 2009 the company can concentrate on its core audio brand, and build on its successful start to a year that has reportedly seen sales grow by nearly 50 per cent on the equivalent period last year.
RCF Group chairman, Arturo Vicari, says the decision was entirely amicable and suits both parties. ‘Audio is performing well in most territories — other than the Eurozone — and has really burst into life this year, with sales exploding,’ he stated. ‘Strategically we have decided to invest our time, money and resources into maximising this over the next 12 months. Why waste time in a market other than our core business when there were so many possibilities to exploit in audio?’
RCF spa has increased its penetration in the major MI, integration and live event sectors during the last quarter of 2011, and reported an ‘overwhelming response’ to its display at ISE in Amsterdam. ‘The market is clearly indicating that it understands our product strategies, and we will be able to show the benefits of being able to dedicate all our time to audio with a range of new products which are being scheduled for Prolight+Soundin March,’ Mr Vicari continued.
He also admitted that lighting had proved to be ‘a very tough business to be in — quite unlike audio’. He explained: ‘It was a good learning experience but taught us that what we are really specialists in is audio — that is where our success and our future lies.’
The new company, SGM A/S, which replaces the former SGM Technology for Lighting spa, will be headquartered in Aabyhøj, near Aarhus, and will concentrate exclusively on developing LED solutions, while continuing to support SGM’s current catalogue.
‘I am delighted to be back as an independent operator, as I have always worked better this way,’ said Peter Johansen who initially joined SGM in late 2010 as R&D director. ‘The reason I’m so enthusiastic is that having had the opportunity to take over an existing brand name, and been given a free hand to develop it, we remain committed to establishing SGM as one of the absolute leading brands within the industry,’ he continued. ‘I want us to be seen as the LED company of the future.’
Despite the sale the two companies will not be making a total split. RCF will continue to represent SGM in Italy while its sister company, dBTechnologies will distribute the products in Germany.
Peter Johansen is joined at SGM A/S by the LED specialists from his Danish R&D team and the existing SGM sales force. In the new set-up, R&D, admin and after-sales will be based in Denmark, with manufacturing plants in Italy, Thailand and China, and warehousing in Holland.