EVA Automation Acquires Bowers & Wilkins (B&W)
In a surprising move B&W has been acquired by EVA Automation, which is a Bay Area company led by Gideon Yu.
Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), the British audio brand founded in Sussex, England in 1966, has been acquired by Silicon Valley-based EVA Automation Inc., a technology company founded by Gideon Yu.
EVA Automation states that B&W is a market leading maker of high-performance audio products that includes floorstanding, in-wall and wireless audio solutions. The Bay Area company adds that B&W has forged market leadership position through a commitment to innovative research and development (R&D), efficient manufacturing processes, and attention to detail. EVA Automation will integrate fully with B&W's acoustic engineering capabilities by offering innovative A/V technologies and product vision that will enable Bowers & Wilkins to grow faster and further.
“Bowers & Wilkins brings an incredible brand, experienced and well-respected team and commitment to making high-end audio equipment of unmatched quality,” says Gideon Yu, chairman, CEO and co-founder, EVA Automation. “We at EVA share their same product vision and passion for home entertainment and look forward to creating fantastic home A/V experiences together as one combined company.”
Joe Atkins, former owner of Bowers & Wilkins, will remain as CEO, and will work closely with EVA and Yu to continue to drive B&W’s position as a benchmark integrated A/V company. Gideon Yu is well established in the high-tech business world for helping to build world-class companies such as Facebook, YouTube and Square. Yu will act as executive chairman for Bowers & Wilkins
Atkins notes the future for B&W and its partners will be bright through the new ownership's leadership.
“This is an exciting time for Bowers & Wilkins – a brand of true heritage and quality,” he says. “In Gideon Yu and EVA Automation we have a true innovator in the technology sector.”
