German pro audio giant d&b Group has acquired UK-based AV, lighting and media (AVLM) business White Light, in a move designed to further strengthen its d&b solutions business.

Launched in May of this year to offer ‘end-to-end expertise to customers in the areas of system planning, installation, maintenance and managed services’, d&b solutions marks a significant development for the company, as it looks to expand its offering beyond manufacturing.

The announcement of this new division also came with the news that d&b had acquired its long-time sales partner, multidisciplinary AV provider SFL Group. The acquisition of White Light will now send further ripples through the pro audio market and prompt questions on what exactly this new operation means for the industry.

“White Light is a strategic addition to the d&b Group,” said d&b CEO Amnon Harman. “Their technology and expertise significantly increases d&b solutions’ capabilities to offer complete and flexible audio, video, lighting and XR solutions. Driven by accelerated market trends during the pandemic, this is another step forward in d&b’s strategic transition. d&b solutions will become a premium one-stop-shop for the AVLM needs of our customers in the UK.”

A key focus for d&b solutions is White Light’s SmartStage technology, which has been in development since 2017. SmartStage is an immersive video environment that uses XR technology to replace the traditional green screen element of a virtual studio.

This technology, paired with d&b Soundscape, is likely to present significant opportunities for the company in the immersive experience space.

“We are proud to join the d&b Group and expand their d&b solutions business,” said Bryan Raven, managing director, White Light.

“We wholeheartedly share the belief in the strategic direction of d&b and we are convinced that White Light will contribute immensely to its implementation and growth. Besides first-class technology and services we also share the same values, which will help us to drive our common goals forward. We look forward to working together to provide customers with the best possible technology solutions, across a whole range of verticals.”

Harman added: "The d&b Group is committed to providing transformational life experiences to our customers. This means being able to think, consult, design and deliver across the full entertainment technology ecosystem. The people, technology and services that White Light bring to the table will be instrumental in ensuring that d&b Group is able to meet the needs of our customers and achieve this vision.”

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