The US market leader in sports headphones is acquired by global infotainment and audio group Harman International Industries.
LOS ANGELES, June 2014 – St-Louis-based yurbuds®, a portfolio company of Breakwater Management, LP (“Breakwater”), has been acquired by Harman International Industries(NYSE:HAR), a leading global infotainment and audio group. Based in Los Angeles, Breakwater is a private investment firm that specializes in direct investments in leading lower middle market businesses that demonstrate attractive opportunities for growth.
Founded in 2008, yurbuds is the #1 selling sport earphone company in the United States. The firm develops in-the-ear and behind-the-ear headphones that are ergonomically and functionally designed specifically for athletes. yurbuds headphones are available in 19,000 points of sale, including big box general merchandise retailers, sporting goods retailers, and more than 750 active lifestyle specialty retailers.
“When it comes to providing a premium audio experience, there’s no better name in the industry than Harman, and we are incredibly excited to join forces to enhance the yurbuds product line, expand our scale, and grow the brand around the world,” said Seth Burgett, CEO and President at yurbuds.
“This is a very exciting juncture for this globally recognized premium brand within the sport tech market,” said Saif Mansour, Founding Partner at Breakwater. “The acquisition of the business by Harman now promises to accelerate the growth of the yurbuds brand further, with new opportunities to leverage technologies and distribution systems to drive global business expansion.”
Following the acquisition, Burgett and the yurbuds team will join the Harman Lifestyle Division. Harman International Industries reported 2013 revenue of $4.3 billion. In May, the company acquired AMX, a visual equipment maker from Texas, for $365 million.
ABOUT BREAKWATER MANAGEMENT, LP
Breakwater Management is a private investment firm that specializes in direct investments in leading lower middle market growth companies, especially businesses with expanding global operations. The firm aligns itself with committed management teams, owners, and sponsors to help propel lower middle market businesses into their growth curve. Breakwater has an established, world-class alternative asset management platform, with multiple partnerships and investment vehicles that service the lower middle market’s myriad capital needs.
To learn more about Breakwater, visit www.breakwatermgmt.com or call (424) 777-4000.
Download a PDF of this Press Release