Transom Capital Group has sold Mackie to RØDE Microphones

Mackie

Mackie, headquartered in Bothell, Washington, is a leading audio products company that designs and markets solutions for creators of all types, including live sound, studio and recording, podcasters and streamers. The company primarily operates in the United States with additional operations in the UK, Canada and China.

The Deal

Transom Capital Group acquired Mackie as part of the broader LOUD Audio platform in 2017. Following divestitures of the other LOUD brands and a singular focus on Mackie, Transom, along with management, successfully grew the business in the traditional live sound space while also positioning Mackie as a formidable presence in the content creation market. Engaged as the exclusive financial advisor, the Lincoln team provided valuable expertise in the audio sector and cross-border execution capabilities, leading to a successful sale to a highly synergistic international trade buyer in RØDE Microphones.

Russ Roenick, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Transom Capital Group, stated, “Lincoln has done a tremendous job executing this transaction. The team provided industry expertise and guided the management team through each step of the sale process. We extend our gratitude to the Mackie team for their hard work and dedication throughout our partnership. Transom is confident that under the new ownership of RØDE, Mackie will continue to thrive and innovate in the dynamic audio market.”

Our Perspective

Eddie Krule, Lincoln International Managing Director who co-led the transaction, commented, “We truly enjoyed working with the excellent management team at Mackie, and their dedicated backers at Transom Capital, to deliver a synergistic cross-border strategic acquirer in RØDE, a privately owned Australian company with a passionate founder.”

Harry Kalmanowicz, Lincoln International Managing Director who co-led the transaction, added, “We look forward to Mackie continuing its mission of bringing the next generation of tools to the next generation of creatives. As part of RØDE, a wider set of customers will get to enjoy a broader range of quality products. This transaction also represents Lincoln’s third transaction within the audio products and technology space in the last six months.”

Rode Microphones

RØDE is a private Australian audio company operating domestically and internationally. The company is the flagship brand of the Freedman Group (formerly known as Freedman Electronics), which was founded by Henry Freedman in 1967. In 1990, Henry’s son, Peter Freedman, founded RØDE in Australia. The company operates through four product categories: microphones, headphones, interfaces, mixers and accessories. RØDE is a leader in the premium branded microphone industry worldwide, offering a variety of products spanning from camera mounted microphones to podcasting and live performance microphones. RØDE operates with more than 350 employees worldwide.

Transom Capital Group

Transom is a leading private equity firm focused on investing in the middle market. The firm strives to create long-term value by partnering with established businesses and helping them navigate transformative growth. Transom’s functional pattern recognition, access to capital and ARMOR value creation process combined with managements’ industry expertise to create improved operational efficiency, significant top-line growth, cultural transformation and overall distinctive outcomes. Transom is headquartered in Los Angeles.

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