Skip to main content

Logitech acquiring Jaybird for $50M as it looks to expand active lifestyle wireless lineup

Computer peripheral company Logitech today announced that it will acquire popular audio company Jaybird. For those unfamiliar, Jaybird offers a variety of headphone products over recent years, most of which have been wireless. Logitech says the deal is worth $50 million in cash, with an additional earn-out of up to $45 million based on achievement of growth targets over the next two years.

In a press release and on its official blog, Logitech said that the reason for the acquisition primarily centers around creating the best possible way for consumers to listen to music in every situation. Logitech’s Rory Dooley wrote the following in a blog post revealing the acquisition:

The way we consume music has changed radically over the past decade and will continue to do so as we look to the future. Music now goes with us everywhere and as both a shared or solitary experience, it can be integrated into pretty much all aspects of our daily lives thanks to the type of products that both UE and Jaybird have been inventing and commercializing over the last few years.

Furthermore, Logitech says that Jaybird will still be a separate brand and that the Jaybird team will be able to design and release its own products in the same way that it has been doing all along. Logitech says that it will simply help Jaybird take “everything further, faster.”

The deal is subject to the standard conditions and approval process, but is expected to close in the coming weeks.

Logitech’s acquisition of Jaybird comes two months after ZAGG announced plans to acquire popular power accessory company Mophie. That deal was worth $100 million. Last September, Incipio announced that it was acquiring fellow case manufacturer Incase for an undisclosed amount. Any bets on who goes next?

Full press release below:

Logitech to Acquire Jaybird, Expanding into the Fast-growing Wireless Audio Wearables Market

NEWARK, Calif. and LAUSANNE, Switzerland, Apr. 12, 2016 — Logitech International (SIX: LOGN) (Nasdaq: LOGI) today announced that it has agreed to acquire Jaybird LLC of Salt Lake City, Utah, for approximately $50 million in cash, with an additional earn-out of up to $45 million based on achievement of growth targets over the next two years. Jaybird is a leader in wireless audio wearables for sports and active lifestyles, a category the company created in 2006.

“Logitech and Jaybird share a passion for products,” said Bracken Darrell, Logitech president and chief executive officer. “We’re impressed by the technology, products and marketing Jaybird has brought to this business. As one team, we can address the fast-growing wireless audio wearables market with all the advantages of Jaybird’s strong brand and sports expertise, and our combined audio engineering and design capabilities. With both the Ultimate Ears and Jaybird brands in our portfolio, we are expanding the long-term growth potential of our music business.”
Judd Armstrong, founder and chief executive officer of Jaybird, said, “It has been an incredible journey. We love what we do, and we’re stoked to continue to innovate and bring amazing new products to our fans. Jaybird will benefit from Logitech’s global distribution network and deep engineering prowess. We’ve watched as they’ve connected incredible products with passionate consumers under the UE brand, and we’re thrilled to be part of the team.”

Jaybird has pioneered premium wireless audio for sports through its focus on bringing music to active lifestyles. Their award-winning BlueBuds X and, more recently, X2 wireless buds enjoy a strong following among the active crowd. Whether their fans play on the slopes, on the court, in the gym, on the dirt or the pavement, they trust Jaybird to bring music to the experience.

Logitech does not expect the acquisition to materially impact its FY 2017 guidance, recently shared at the company’s Analyst and Investor Day in March. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the coming weeks.

Jaybird was provided financial advice exclusively by Stifel throughout the acquisition process.
About Logitech
Logitech designs products that have an everyday place in people’s lives, connecting them to the digital experiences they care about. Over 30 years ago Logitech started connecting people through computers, and now it’s designing products that bring people together through music, gaming, video and computing, so they can create, achieve and enjoy more. Founded in 1981, Logitech International is a Swiss public company listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (LOGN) and on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (LOGI). Find Logitech at www.logitech.com, the company blog or @Logitech.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

Author

Avatar for Chance Miller Chance Miller

Chance is an editor for the entire 9to5 network and covers the latest Apple news for 9to5Mac.

Tips, questions, typos to chance@9to5mac.com