News

AMX Acquires AutoPatch, Adds Signal Switching and Routing to Product Portfolio (20/12/2006)

Acquisition Further Expands AMX Content Control, Delivery Capabilities

AMX(r), a worldwide leader in control system technology, today announced that it has acquired AutoPatch, a leading manufacturer of high-performance audio/video (A/V) signal switching and distribution equipment. With this acquisition, AMX continues to expand its content control and delivery capabilities.

With more than 4,000 products distributed around the world, AutoPatch can be found in all of the 14 vertical markets in which AMX competes. AutoPatch, like AMX, designs its products with military and medical applications in mind, as both require highly-reliable, no fail systems. AutoPatch has been on an accelerated growth path for the last few years, as worldwide demand for A/V distribution technologies has significantly increased across all commercial and residential markets - including business, government, education and residential.

"AMX is committed to best-in-breed partnerships with manufacturers such as AutoPatch whose products are used in the majority of installations where AMX control systems are also used. By combining the advanced capabilities and product lines of two industry leaders, we are providing customers with greater flexibility, more options for their installations, and easier integration," said Rashid Skaf, AMX president and CEO. "Further, with AutoPatch's extensive employee knowledge base, talent and experience in the areas of product design, implementation and support of intelligent switching platforms, AMX will move to the forefront of this very critical area for overall systems operation."

In business for more than 18 years, AutoPatch's extensive product line ranges from standard to expandable semi-modular and custom-configurable matrix switchers. Its solutions can route and distribute composite and/or component video, High Definition Television (HDTV), Standard Definition Serial Digital Interface (SD-SDI), High Definition Serial Digital Interface (HD-SDI) and Digital Visual Interface (DVI), as well as mono, stereo and digital audio. The company's products communicate over coax, Cat 5 cable or fiber and span configurations from as small as 4x4 to as large as 256x256. AutoPatch switchers are found in all of AMX's key vertical markets, including business, government, education and residential.

"AutoPatch is thrilled to be part of the world-class organization that is AMX," said Al Hale, AutoPatch founder and CEO. "After nearly 20 years with AutoPatch, I am very excited to turn over the reigns to an organization that is so focused on providing a great work environment and continued growth for AutoPatch and its employees. Frankly, I can not envision a better way for AutoPatch to evolve. I want to personally thank everyone for the great effort put forward to make AutoPatch synonymous with quality, innovation, and integrity."

AutoPatch will be fully integrated into AMX, and all current AutoPatch employees will now become AMX employees. AMX has formed a new group called the AutoPatch Group which will focus on further market and product development. AutoPatch's individual product families will maintain their original model names.

The existing AMX sales force will take responsibility for selling AutoPatch products in their territories. All current AutoPatch dealers who are not AMX dealers will be contacted immediately by their respective regional AMX sales representative to tell them about the AMX dealer establishment process. AutoPatch dealers who are also AMX current dealers will experience no change in their relationship or ordering process with AMX. AMX customers will continue to place product orders and request technical support through the same procedures.

AutoPatch is the second company acquired by AMX this quarter. Last month, the company purchased UK-based Endeleo for its multimedia distribution technologies and in-house expertise.

www.amx.com