Sydney-based Audinate, developer of Dante media networking technology, has signed an agreement to acquire the video business of Silex Insight SA (“Silex”), based in Belgium. The Silex video business produces video networking products for manufacturers of AV equipment.
The acquisition includes a range of AV-over-IP products, including IP Cores, the VIPER Board, Video ASSP and Design Services, as well as three Silex implementations of video codecs: Colibri, JPEG 2000 and VC-2 HQ. Audinate will also acquire a team of eight engineers with extensive video implementation expertise. It plans to remain committed to supporting the existing Silex products and customers.
The acquisition of the Silex video business will allow Audinate to accelerate its strategic vision for integrated AVoIP and will add breadth and depth to its AV-over-IP product line up. In addition, the transaction will increase video FPGA expertise within the company, and cement critical mass for its video engineering team in Europe.
Read: AVI-SPL Announces Deal To Acquire SKC Communications
“Since the development of our first Dante AV product we have been committed to bringing the simplicity and interoperability of Dante to the video-over-IP market,” says Aidan Williams, Audinate’s co-founder and CEO. “With this acquisition, we are doubling down on that strategy. The video codecs and deep product expertise in the team, in combination with our Dante networking technology, will enable us to go to market with a variety of full-service video offerings.”
Michel Van Maercke, CEO of Silex Insight, adds that Audinate is an excellent new home for the video team, customers and suppliers. Maercke attributes this to the unique complement in know-how, competencies and expertise. “We see a great cultural fit and a similar customer-oriented mindset, which is critical for the success of an integration post acquisition. I am confident that the Silex video team will do very well as part of Audinate and will make a true difference in the exciting Pro AV market,” he remarks.
The proposed transaction is a carve-out of the video business from Silex, which will retain its existing security business and is expected to complete on January 31, 2022.
