RCF Group has announced the sale of SGM, its lighting division, to a consortium headed by Danish entrepreneur Peter Johansen. The new company, SGM A/S, which replaces the former SGM Technology for Lighting spa, is headquartered here, near Aarhus, and will concentrate exclusively on developing LED solutions, while continuing to support SGM’s current catalog of discharge lighting.
For Peter Johansen, the man who originally founded Martin Professional, and who joined SGM in late 2010 as R&D director, the buyout provides the opportunity to spearhead his own company again, dedicated to LED development in the entertainment and architectural segments.
For RCF Group, by divesting themselves of the lighting interest they purchased in April 2009, the company can focus on its core audio brand, and build on the start to a year that has already seen sales grow by nearly 50 percent on the equivalent period last year.
Johansen and RCF Group chairman Arturo Vicari said the decision was entirely amicable and suits both parties.
Johansen added, “I am delighted to be back as an independent operator, as I have always worked better this way.”
However, the two companies will not be making a total split. RCF will continue to represent SGM in Italy while their sister company, dBTechnologies will distribute their products in Germany. The two companies will also exhibit side by side at Prolight+Sound in Frankfurt following the successful formula established last year.
As the major shareholder in SGM A/S, Peter Johansen is joined 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.
“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 said. “I want us to be seen as the LED company of the future.”
By the time Prolight+Sound opens on March 21st, SGM A/S anticipates having as many as 17 new LED products to showcase.
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