In a surprising development, VerVent Audio Holding — which owns Focal and Naim — has been bought by Barco.
The new owner is not a familiar name in audiophile circles and a little introduction is necessary. This excerpt is from the media release about the acquisition:
Barco, headquartered in Kortrijk (Belgium), is a global technology company leading in visualization, networking, and collaboration solutions. Its innovative technologies drive advancements in the healthcare, enterprise, and entertainment markets. At the heart of Barco’s success are over 3,000 dedicated ‘visioneers’, each passionately contributing to driving change through technology.
Listed on Euronext (BAR), Reuters (BARBt.BR), and Bloomberg (BAR BB), Barco realized sales of 964 million euros in 2025. For further insights, please visit www.barco.com, or connect on LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.
At least the great brands Naim and Focal will be owned by a financially-strong company since it reported sales of 964 million euros last year.
However, what Barco wants to do with Focal and Naim is not known at this juncture, but the media release suggests an emphasis on the audio-visual segment. Read the media release:
Barco to acquire VerVent Audio Holding, strengthening its integrated audiovisual portfolio
Kortrijk, Belgium, 9 March 2026: Barco announces 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 premium audio brands Focal and Naim. The agreement marks a strategic expansion for Barco’s portfolio, establishing the company as a fully integrated audiovisual solutions provider.
An Steegen, CEO of Barco, comments: “Today marks an important step in Barco’s ambition to shape the future of immersive audiovisual experiences. By welcoming 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 reinforce each other seamlessly. Building on our leadership in visualization, we go all-in on Entertainment. The addition of high-fidelity audio strengthens the overall experience of our offering across high-end residential and broader consumer/home entertainment environments, as well as in professional markets. This combination expands our reach, deepens our technology capabilities, and positions us to capture new opportunities across the audiovisual value chain. We are excited to embark on this next chapter together.”
VerVent, headquartered in Saint-Étienne, France, is a premium audio group with a long heritage in designing and manufacturing high-end audio systems under its globally recognized Focal and Naim brands. Its portfolio spans premium loudspeakers, immersive and active audio solutions, headphones, studio monitors and automotive and yachting OEM systems, complemented by a growing custom installation and home theatre offering. VerVent’s strong global retail and distribution network — including more than 80 premium boutiques and thousands of sales points — provides an immediate platform for go-to-market acceleration.
The premium audio market — combining audiophile consumer audio and high-end home cinema segments — is estimated at more than €3 billion, and supported by trends of immersive sound, active speakers, integrated systems and direct-to-consumer go-to-market models.
The combination will enable Barco’s evolution towards integrated audiovisual solutions, offering high-end visualization and audio solutions to both consumer and professional customers. Beyond the home and consumer segment, this will also create opportunities to develop integrated audiovisual propositions in home cinema, public spaces and professional cinema, building on Barco’s leading cinema and high-end residential visualization solutions and VerVent’s premium audio expertise.
The Enterprise Value of the acquisition is approx. €135 million. The transaction is planned to be financed with Barco’s own funds. VerVent generates annual revenues of around €110 million. Barco expects to realize synergies over the next years. Including this acquisition, Barco reconfirms its long-term EBITDA margin guidance of 15% by 2028.
After closing, VerVent will be integrated into Barco’s Entertainment division. Barco intends to support the company’s ongoing strategic plan, which focuses on high-end premium audio positioning, a technology upgrade towards digital, active and connected products, portfolio rationalization and leveraging its sales network, including consumer channels and brand licensing.
