M&A activity in the custom integration market appears to be at an all time high as leading manufacturers across audio, lighting, networking and control systems engage in high-profile mergers and acquisitions.
While the motivations behind each deal differ—from technology expansion to market reach—the overarching message is clear: the custom integration (CI) industry is maturing, and strategic growth through M&A activity is becoming a key path forward.
Across the industry, many noteworthy vendors have engaged in substantial M&A activity, including ADI acquiring Snap One last year in a massive $1.4 billion deal that creates one of the largest companies in this channel. That was followed by several others, including Bose’s acquisition of renowned luxury audio company McIntosh, Harman acquiring Masimo’s consumer audio brands, and several others that have taken place throughout 2025.
The stated reasons for these acquisitions vary, with some manufacturers hoping to break into new markets, explore new product categories or grow strategically through these large deals, but all of them seem to paint a bullish picture for the CI channel when speaking to those at the top.
AVPro Acquires RTI: Expanding Control and Support
AVPro Global Holdings, the parent company behind brands like AVPro Edge, Murideo, AudioControl, and Bullet Train, announced in May that it had acquired Remote Technologies Incorporated (RTI), a longstanding player in control and automation.
That deal joins several others in what appears to be a transformative moment for the CI channel—one that raises important questions about product alignment, channel focus, and long-term strategy.
“We’ve always felt that we’ve been involved in control,” AVPro CEO Jeff Murray tells CE Pro. “But now we can learn more—get closer to what the customer actually deals with when they’re operating their system.”
Murray said the goal is not to make RTI exclusive or vertically integrate the platform. Rather, AVPro will maintain RTI as a standalone brand while exploring ways to improve integration between control, video distribution, and the AVPro Labs support platform.
“This adds another tool to our toolbox,” Murray says. “It allows us to better support integrators without disrupting their workflows.”
The RTI acquisition follows AVPro’s 2023 purchase of AudioControl, strengthening the company’s position in both residential and light commercial AV. Murray describes AVPro’s broader acquisition strategy as selective but necessary to remain competitive in an increasingly consolidated channel.
“The custom integration market is extremely healthy,” Murray says. “It’s getting better every year. But to keep up, companies need to evolve. Smarter software, tighter integration, better support. That’s what this is about.”
Resideo’s Acquisition of Snap One: Integration with Purpose
In one of the largest bits of M&A activity in the industry, Resideo’s acquisition of Snap One for approximately $1.4 billion brought together two major players in CI distribution—Snap One’s platform of proprietary brands and Resideo’s global ADI distribution network.
Nearly a year after the acquisition, ADI President Rob Aarnes and Senior Director of Global Communications Adrienne Zimoulis say the combined entity is delivering on its “Even Better Together” promise.
“Our mantra has been ‘Even Better Together,’ and nearly a year in, I’m proud to say it’s not just a slogan, it is our reality,” Aarnes tells CE Pro sister publication Commercial Integrator in a recent interview. “We’ve successfully integrated teams across every function of the business.”
Cross-pollination between Snap One and ADI has taken off. Products like WattBox became available in all ADI locations within nine days of the deal closing, and “hundreds of SKUs have flowed in both directions,” according to Aarnes. The company has exceeded aggressive cross-sell targets and is now reimagining the branch experience with co-branded “stores of the future” in cities like Omaha and Pittsburgh.
“Customers have been thrilled by the broader selection, faster access, and unified purchasing experience,” Aarnes says.
To ensure partner trust, the integration effort has been deeply data-driven. The company conducted three customer sentiment surveys since closing, with over 1,000 written responses in one survey alone. Feedback from Snap One dealers—particularly around concerns that inventory would be diluted or that Control4 would become widely available—shaped strategic decisions.
“Control4 continues to be a differentiated product offering that requires a very technical installation and certifications,” Aarnes says. “We’ve reaffirmed our commitment to supporting Control4 only through certified, qualified dealers.”
That focus on integrity has extended to every aspect of the merger, from technical support and customer service to back-office systems and communications.
“Snap was known for their field-level technical support, and now we’ve enhanced it further by combining with ADI’s infrastructure,” Aarnes states. “We’re sharing all our software, tools, metrics, and resources, all to help elevate the entire customer experience.”
Internally, the team leaned into transparency and change management. The company shared a three-year roadmap for store consolidations and has already completed several. It expects to consolidate or remodel between 10 and 20 locations by the end of 2025.
“No topic has been off limits for our teams,” Aarnes adds. “Our goal is full transparency. It builds trust, fuels alignment, and ensures our team is excited for the future.”
Zimoulis notes that internal communications were essential to keeping the organization aligned during a massive ERP transition and real estate evolution.
“Small changes have made a big difference too, like terminology,” she says. “Now we ALL call them stores. It’s a simple example but reinforces unity.”
Despite macroeconomic uncertainty and persistent tariff headwinds, Aarnes said ADI and Snap One are focused on consistency and partnership post-merger
“Whether it’s integration, tariffs, inflation, or uncertainty, we take a transparent and reasonable approach with both our customers and suppliers,” he says. “We’ve earned a reputation for doing the right thing—not just what’s easy—and that helps build long-term trust.”
With legacy Snap One brands like Araknis, WattBox, and Luma now backed by ADI’s distribution infrastructure, integrators could see faster access, broader product availability, and more localized support.
Sonance Acquires Blaze Audio: A Strategic Expansion Into Pro Audio
Sonance, known for its architectural speakers and design-forward solutions, expanded its activities into commercial audio with its own M&A play through Blaze Audio, a Danish manufacturer of high-performance amplifiers and DSP solutions.
“Blaze Audio represented an exceptional strategic fit,” CEO Ari Supran tells CE Pro. “Particularly through their cutting-edge expertise in Dante Audio over IP and DSP amplification, which both directly enhance our capabilities in reimagining sound.”
Supran notes that the acquisition fills a key gap in Sonance’s portfolio: multi-channel 70V/100V amplification, which is essential for large-scale professional AV installations. He adds that Blaze’s parent company, Pascal, brings valuable engineering expertise to the partnership.
“Pascal accelerates our product development by combining Sonance’s design and acoustics excellence with Pascal’s robust amplification technology. This integration creates exceptional value for Sonance and our global customer base.”
While the deal primarily strengthens Sonance’s commercial offerings, Supran says it will also benefit high-end residential projects, especially those that require advanced networking capabilities like Dante or scalable amplification platforms.
“These purpose-built amplifiers will deliver the exceptional performance and reliability that the luxury residential market demands,” the audio executive says.
The acquisition also establishes Sonance’s first European office and adds 17 Copenhagen-based engineers and staff to the company’s growing global footprint.
Harman Acquires Masimo Consumer Audio: Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, and Marantz Change Hands
Moving on to more recent M&A activity, Harman International (a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung) in a headline-grabbing deal earlier this year acquired Masimo’s consumer audio division—formerly Sound United—for $350 million. The acquisition brings iconic audio brands including Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Marantz, Polk Audio, Definitive Technology, and HEOS under the Harman umbrella.
Those audio brands now join the same company as JBL, Mark Levinson, Harman Kadon and others.
According to Harman, the acquisition strengthens its core Lifestyle Audio division while accelerating growth in consumer channels.
“This acquisition represents a strategic step forward in the expansion of HARMAN’s core audio business and footprint across key product categories such as home audio, headphones, stereo components, and car audio. It complements our existing strengths and opens new avenues for growth. Sound United’s portfolio of world-class audio brands including Bowers & Wilkins, Denon and Marantz, will join HARMAN’s iconic family of brands, including JBL, Harman Kardon, AKG, Mark Levinson, Arcam, and Revel,” emphasizes Dave Rogers, president of HARMAN’s Lifestyle division, in a statement.
“Built on a shared legacy of innovation and excellence in audio technology, this combined family of brands, together with the talented employees of both companies, will deliver complementary audio products, strengthen our value proposition and offer more choices to consumers,” Rogers adds.
Masimo, meanwhile, had already been exploring divesting of its consumer audio business so the company could focus on its core professional healthcare segment. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2025, subject to receiving necessary regulatory approvals.
Bose Acquires McIntosh Group: A Surprising Play in High-End Audio
In a high-profile deal that signals Bose Corporation’s renewed investment in high-performance audio, the company acquired McIntosh Group in November 2024. The acquisition brings iconic brands McIntosh and Sonus faber under the Bose umbrella, forming a luxury audio powerhouse with more than 175 years of combined heritage.
“Over the last six decades we’ve delivered the best premium audio experiences possible; now, with McIntosh Group in our portfolio, we can unlock even more ways to bring music to life in the home, on-the-go and in the car,” says Lila Snyder, CEO of Bose Corporation.
The move was one in a series of M&A activity by Bose, being completed after Bose divested its professional division in 2023. That earlier action, which sold off its integrator-facing Bose Pro line to Transom Capital Group, had been seen as a pivot away from CI, bucking market trends. Now, with the McIntosh and Sonus faber brands in hand, Bose reenters the high-performance audio space from a premium consumer standpoint.
“We look forward to honoring the heritage of these brands, investing in their future and pushing the boundaries of audio innovation to bring customers experiences they’ve never heard before,” Snyder adds.
For McIntosh and Sonus faber, the acquisition presents not just new distribution opportunities, but the potential to enter the automotive space at a much greater scale. Bose has spent more than 40 years developing audio systems for top automakers like Honda, Chevrolet, and Porsche—automotive makes that now represent roughly a third of Bose’s business.
“Gaining access to [Bose’s] expertise as a pioneer in automotive audio will also help us accelerate our presence and enable us to deliver solutions that are commensurate with our reputation and performance standards,” says Dan Pidgeon, CEO of McIntosh Group.
Both McIntosh and Sonus faber already have a presence in luxury vehicles. McIntosh systems can be found in Jeep’s Grand Cherokee and Wagoneer models, while Sonus faber handles audio for Lamborghini and Maserati. Now, supported by Bose’s research, IP, and global manufacturing capabilities, these luxury audio brands may be able to scale their automotive offerings in a way not previously possible.
Despite the merger, Bose says it remains committed to its core product categories: headphones, earbuds, soundbars, speakers, and car audio systems. The company also continues to prioritize research in noise cancellation, hearing augmentation, and immersive sound. McIntosh and Sonus faber, meanwhile, retain their identity and focus on premium audio components, including amplifiers, loudspeakers, and turntables.
Lutron Acquires Orluna: Reinforcing Global Lighting Leadership
In a move that solidifies its standing in architectural lighting, Lutron announced its acquisition of UK-based Orluna, a high-end fixture manufacturer renowned for its precision optics and color fidelity. While Lutron has long been a dominant player in lighting control, this acquisition significantly boosts its fixture offerings—particularly in premium hospitality and residential markets.
“Lighting is poised to be the next major growth category for the CI channel, and it’s an area Lutron has been focused on growing since the early 2000s with the acquisition of Ivalo,” said Ben Bard, Vice President at Lutron. “The acquisition of Orluna reinforces Lutron’s commitment to our global customers, as Orluna’s portfolio of elegant lighting solutions enables us to expand the lighting category in key global markets.”
With Orluna, Lutron gains access to a portfolio of architectural-grade fixtures favored by lighting designers and luxury integrators. The company’s “Beautifully Lit” design philosophy and proprietary True Color light engines align with Lutron’s emphasis on quality, consistency, and design-driven solutions.
NETGEAR Acquires Exium: Cybersecurity Meets Residential Networking
As homes become increasingly connected, the need for robust cybersecurity solutions grows—and NETGEAR is responding. The networking manufacturer announced it would acquire Exium, a secure access service edge (SASE) platform designed to deliver zero-trust cybersecurity at scale.
Exium’s platform includes AI-powered secure gateways, identity-based access controls, and threat detection systems—all of which will be integrated into NETGEAR’s existing consumer and prosumer routers.
The move positions NETGEAR to go beyond basic connectivity and offer managed network security, potentially creating new revenue streams for integrators and enabling them to deliver peace of mind alongside performance.
What This M&A Activity Means for Integrators
According to CEDIA CEO Daryl Friedman, this M&A activity is a natural part of a growing and maturing industry. However, he urges those companies with CI-focused divisions to maintain their commitment to the channel.
“Most maturing industries undergo some level of consolidation, so the recent wave of mergers and acquisitions comes as no surprise,” Friedman said. “As brands merge with or are acquired by companies from adjacent sectors, it will be critical for the CI-focused divisions to maintain their commitment to our channel and to residential integrators.”
He added that the CI channel’s founding spirit—defined by innovation, entrepreneurship, and integrator-driven design—must remain intact, even as company sizes and ownership structures evolve through even more M&A activity in the future.
“Our industry was built by audacious visionaries who pushed the boundaries of what is possible in our homes. As companies change hands and become bigger, they should seek to maintain that spirit of entrepreneurship and inventiveness that made our channel thrive,” Friedman says.
