D&M Buys Calrec Audio Of U.K.

D&M Holdings has acquired Calrec Audio Limited of Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, England. The acquisition will be accretive to earnings per share in 2008.

Calrec makes digital audio mixing consoles, analog consoles, and audio networking equipment for live production and live-to-air broadcast. It uses technology that can process 5.1 surround sound channels for HD production.

With the acquisition, D&M is looking to expand into vertical A/V markets such as recording, live music, performance venues, and film production.

“The acquisition of Calrec is an important step in our stated growth strategy to expand into new markets, specifically commercial audio and visual,” said chairman and chief executive officer Eric C. Evans. “With Calrec, we’re adding another premium brand to the D&M family -- one that places us firmly in the broadcast market and serves the most prominent customers throughout the world such as the BBC, ITV, NBC, CBS, Fox, MBS, and Asahi.”