LED lighting company acquired by Zumtobel Group

Zumtobel Group, the international lighting corporation, has acquired a majority holding in UK lighting company acdc, a sale that was advised by Yorkshire’s BHP Corporate Finance and law firm Clarion in Leeds.

acdc is an innovative supplier of high-end LED lighting solutions with a focus on the architectural façade and hospitality segments.

In 2014, acdc posted annual sales revenues of approximately €17m with a current headcount of around 120 employees.

acdc’s long term CEO and majority shareholder Gareth Frankland will continue to head the brand and drive forward its dynamic development within the Zumtobel Group.

Ulrich Schumacher, Zumtobel Group CEO, said: “For the Zumtobel Group, the acquisition of acdc is an excellent strategic addition to our existing brand and product portfolio. With acdc, we are bringing an extremely innovative, highly successful and well-positioned premium brand under the umbrella of the Zumtobel Group. Architectural façade and hospitality lighting are precisely the areas where we see major growth opportunities which we can leverage with the new setup.

“Furthermore, the acdc team has a highly developed innovation culture which enables them to provide a fast and dynamic response to market requirements. This culture will also inspire the employees of the Zumtobel Group. It is our declared aim to retain acdc’s dynamic innovation culture and their excellent customer relationships. For that reason, acdc will be managed as an independent brand and, in terms of our organisational structure, will be integrated into the Zumtobel Group as a flexible individual unit.”

acdc’s current ley markets includes the domestic UK market and the Middle East, along with a selective presence in other European countries and the USA.

Huge growth potential exists for the acdc brand, particularly with regard to marketing the acdc product portfolio through the Zumtobel Group’s worldwide sales organisation which currently encompasses around 1,750 sales staff within the lighting segment. The specialists from acdc will play a key role in providing their expertise for their new colleagues.

Gareth Frankland, acdc CEO, added: “Joining the Zumtobel Group represents an important milestone for us on our path to further growth and the global development of acdc.

“As part of the Zumtobel Group, we will benefit from a worldwide sales network and from the benefits of a global and group-wide purchasing organisation. In addition, we see technology and development synergies and I will continue to rely on the knowledge, experience and the dedication of our employees for the further development of acdc within the Zumtobel Group.”

Hamish Morrison of BHP Corporate Finance and Richard Moran and Rachel Dean at Clarion advised Gareth Frankland on the sale.

Hamish Morrison commented: “acdc is a great success story of a business that has been at the forefront of global innovation within its sector for a significant period of time. This deal represents a great fit for both parties and I am sure will see the business continue to grow and go from strength to strength.”

Richard Moran said: “It was good to be able to work with ACDC in delivering this transaction and help it to prepare for its next phase of growth.”

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