Martin Professional continues its expansion into the fields of LED and video technology through the acquisition today of R&D International of Belgium, a company that specializes in the research and development of hardware and software for the lighting industry. R&D International has been a long time partner of Martin, having developed the company's popular Maxxyz line of lighting consoles and Maxedia line of media servers.
"With this acquisition we continue to create a strong base and enhance our leadership position in the entertainment and architectural lighting industry," said Martin President and CEO Christian Engsted. "R&D International's substantial competencies in the areas of media servers, lighting control and system integration, as well as communication standards provide a technology platform that will enable us to redefine how to control and communicate with lighting fixtures and other facility infrastructure while maintaining focus on the human interface.
"With light and video continuing to merge, and the digitization of lighting and light sources such as LED moving forward, the synergies brought about by this acquisition will allow us to expand into the video industry more quickly and on a wider scale."
Martin gains through the acquisition the ability to optimally manage the development of content media servers, lighting desks and LED control. Engsted continues, "Combining R&D International's development pipeline with our market leading position, we have high expectations for this acquisition and expect to launch a number of new products and industry firsts. The acquisition also opens the door to new markets that require easy control of communication, among them the advertising industry, corporate branding and media entertainment."
Martin has partnered with R&D International on the development of lighting controllers and media servers since 1995. "This is a win-win for R&D International and Martin and we are thrilled," commented R&D International Managing Director Ferdinand Philipsen about the acquisition. "As part of a larger organization, the synergies created will positively affect the development process from idea conception to production. We look forward to working even closer together."
The acquisition is also expected to have positive effects with regards to Martin's recent INLED technology grant for the development of new LED technologies, which the company is undertaking in cooperation with Aalborg University and the Danish National Advanced Technology Foundation.
