QSC has reached a definitive agreement to be acquired by the industrial-technology company Acuity Brands.

The audiovisual solutions pioneer QSC, which also developed and owns Q-SYS, revealed that it will become a part of Acuity’s Intelligent Spaces Group to help create “disruptive” technologies that make “smarter, safer, and greener” spaces.

Acuity provided a little extra information in its press release, including the net purchase price of $1.1 billion, which represents around 14 times QSC’s estimated EBITDA for the last 12 months. QSC made sales of roughly $535 million for the year ending August 31, 2024.

Neil Ashe, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Acuity Brands, Inc., points to the gains QSC could help deliver regarding data interoperability: “In our Intelligent Spaces business, we are delivering meaningful outcomes for end users that are powered by disruptive technologies and that generate strong financial results.

“QSC has built a differentiated cloud-manageable audio, video and control platform that controls what happens in a built space.”

Our acquisition of QSC builds on our vision of data interoperability as we continue to make spaces smarter, safer and greener.”

Terms of the Deal

Acuity describes QSC as a “disrupter” in the audio, video, and control (AV&C) industry, which offers a cloud-manageable audio, video, and control platform with controls, sensors, and software that have applications throughout education, commercial, government, hospitality, healthcare, and transportation.

Acuity plans to fund the takeover with a $600 million term loan and pay the rest with cash on its balance sheet.

The acquisition is expected to be completed in the second quarter of FY 2025, subject to the usual closing conditions.

Joe Pham, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of QSC, believes QSC and Acuity Brands are a good fit: “Bringing QSC together with Acuity underscores the critical role AV technology plays in live, hybrid, and virtual experiences.

“Our two organisations are aligned on a long-term mission and core values that drive our mutual passion for innovation, customer satisfaction, and employee well-being.”

Pham was also quoted as saying: “We are excited to be joining a company that is aligned around our long-term mission and shares our values.”

“Our shared vision of how we can leverage data with our technology solutions will elevate our ability to service our end-users and drive growth.”

Q-SYS is Part of the Package

As the AV&C platform Q-SYS is owned by QSC, it will also change hands and become a business asset of Acuity.

Q-SYS is a key component of QSC’s overall value. The cloud-first platform is even described by QSC as “leading the company’s success”.

Q-SYS provides live, hybrid, and virtual experience solutions across various industries, such as education, corporate, hospitality, events, venues, cinema, healthcare, transport, and government.

QSC Audio’s loudspeakers, digital mixers, software, power amplifiers, and accessories can support these offerings.

According to QSC, these solutions allow creators, performers, and entertainment providers to offer “impactful” experiences.

Earlier this month, Q-SYS appointed Christopher Jaynes as its new Chief Technology Officer and Jason Shangkuan as its new Chief Digital Officer.



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