Garmin signs purchase agreement to acquire JL Audio, a highly regarded audio solutions manufacturer
Acquisition brings premium audio integration across a broad range of Garmin markets and products
OLATHE, Kan./August 7, 2023/PR Newswire — Garmin Ltd. (NYSE: GRMN), today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire JL Audio, a privately-held U.S. company that designs and manufactures audio solutions for marine, aftermarket automotive, powersports, home and RV customers.
“JL Audio’s extensive audio experience will create new opportunities to provide premium audio features across a broad range of our markets and products. The JL Audio brand is known around the world for offering a premium audio experience which is made possible by their talented and dedicated associates. We look forward to welcoming the JL Audio team into the Garmin family.” –Cliff Pemble, Garmin President and CEO
With over four decades of experience, JL Audio offers premium audio products and accessories, including speakers, amplifiers, subwoofers and other audio components.
“JL Audio shares Garmin’s vision to deliver unique technology solutions, supported by meaningful R&D and engineering. We are thrilled at the opportunity to integrate into Garmin’s product ecosystem. JL Audio will contribute audio knowledge and engineering expertise to create great audio products for many years to come.” –Lucio Proni, JL Audio Founder and CEO
JL Audio is headquartered in Miramar, Fla., and employs more than 600 associates. The completion of this acquisition is expected to occur by the end of 2023 and is subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions. All existing JL Audio products will continue to be supported post-closing, and customers can expect to continue receiving the same great customer service. Financial terms of the acquisition will not be disclosed.
Engineered on the inside for life on the outside, Garmin products have revolutionized the aviation, automotive, fitness, marine and outdoor markets. Dedicated to helping people make the most of the time they spend pursuing their passions, Garmin believes every day is an opportunity to innovate and a chance to beat yesterday. Visit the Garmin Newsroom, email our media team, connect with @garmin on social, or follow our blog.
Related Posts:
Panbo publishes select press releases as a service to readers and the marine electronics industry. The release contents do not reflect the opinion of the editors and are not fact checked by the editors
I have to say, I was surprised to read this news. Garmin already owns Fusion and I think they’ve come a long way with Fusion products. But, I do see some fit here as well. Fusion’s strength has long been in their head-units, while JL’s strength has been in their speakers and amps. Both companies have worked to close their gaps to the others but this seems to give Garmin a pretty formidable audio lineup.
-Ben S.
Garmin announced today that the acquisition has been completed — well ahead of schedule it seems — and that JL Audio “will be integrated into Garmin’s marine segment”:
https://www.garmin.com/en-US/newsroom/press-release/marine/garmin-completes-acquisition-of-jl-audio/
Meanwhile, JL recently announced a new NMEA 2000-connected HTML interface component that’s compatible with its latest MediaMaster marine audio source units, giving users full audio system control from many brands of multifunction displays:
https://www.jlaudio.com/blogs/news/jl-audio-releases-html-interface-for-its-mediamaster%C2%AE-source-units-providing-complete-audio-system-control-from-popular-mfds
I find the new unit a bit of a head scratcher as it seems like Fusion could easily add HTML control to its Ethernet-included source units without added hardware expense or the N2K bottleneck, if indeed more control is needed. But maybe I don’t understand something?
At any rate, it’s going to be interesting to see how JL Audio is integrated with Fusion into the evergrowing Garmin marine electronics universe.