News

Linear, LLC Acquires Imerge Ltd (4/9/2005)

Cambridge, UK-based supplier of Internet-connected, hard disk-based audio products and media appliances strengthens Home Technology Group's presence in Europe.

Linear, LLC (Carlsbad, CA, USA) has acquired Imerge Ltd. (Cambridge, UK). One of Europe's leading manufacturers of consumer electronics, Imerge will join Linear's Home Technology Group, rapidly becoming one of the premier groups of consumer electronics companies, products, and brands. Dr. Bruce Macaulay, CEO of Imerge, as well as the rest of his management team, will stay on and continue to maintain independent service to OEM customers. No other terms of the deal were disclosed.

Grant D. Rummell, Linear Chairman, notes "Imerge is an excellent fit for our Home Technology Group. It gives us some new technologies and sales channels and of course it is a strong corporate brand and has solid product brands in the European market. We plan to help Imerge build on its successes."

According to Macaulay, "At a time of solid growth for Imerge, joining Linear's consumer electronics companies presents us with new opportunities for exposure and shared efficiencies. We welcome both our continued independence and the chance to derive value from being part of a consumer electronics giant. "

Imerge is one of the top providers of Internet-connected, hard disk-based audio products and media appliances. These products include XiVA(tm) media appliance technology, XiVA-Net entertainment portal for music and video products, and the SoundServer family of hard disk audio devices, which provide solid foundations for new-generation AV systems in single-output or multi-room, home-networked installations. Both XiVA(tm) and XiVA-Net are licensed extensively to manufacturers, household brands, software, and service providers, in an effort to build mutually beneficial CE industry partnerships.

Linear is a pioneer in engineered radio frequency (RF) products and is a major supplier of wireless residential security systems, intercoms, garage door operators, gate operators, short and long-range radio remote controls, and medical/emergency reporting systems. In recent years the company, through acquisition, expanded into consumer electronics, home entertainment products, and structured wiring systems for the builder market. Recent acquisitions have included companies with the following brands and products: ChannelPlus(r) whole house audio/video distribution systems; ELAN(r) Home Systems multi-room audio/video equipment; M&S Systems(r) intercoms and central vacuum systems; Niles(r) Audio Corporation whole-house audio and home theater products; OmniMount(r) audio/video equipment mounting solutions; OpenHouse(r) structured wiring products; Panamax(r) power conditioning products for home entertainment and home office electronics; SpeakerCraft(r) and Proficient Audio Systems(r) speakers and electronics; and Xantech(r) infrared remote controls for home entertainment systems.

Linear's parent, Nortek Inc. (http://www.nortek-inc.com), offers a broad array of products and systems for improving environments, where people live and work. It is a major international manufacturer and distributor of competitively priced building, remodeling, and indoor environmental control products for residential and commercial markets. The company is privately held.

www.linearcorp.com