Swedish microphone manufacturer Milab Microphones AB (Milab) has agreed with the owners of Pearl Mikrofonlaboratorium AB (Pearl) to acquire 100% of the shares in Pearl and consolidate Pearl’s operations and product portfolio into Milab.
The two microphone manufacturers share a common heritage that goes back to 1941 when PML was founded by Mr. Rune Rosander in Stockholm, Sweden. In the late seventies PML was divided into separate business units that became two different companies, Pearl and Milab, and eventually led to a permanent separation. Mr. Bernt Malmqvist, who had served as production manager for both companies, purchased Pearl in 1988. Milab was acquired by Mr. Thomas Nöjdh in 1993.
For decades, the two companies have co-existed in neighbouring towns in southern Sweden. Both Milab and Pearl have continued to build exclusive high-quality microphones by hand, and both have developed ground-breaking new technologies and products, in many cases based on founder Rune’s rectangular capsule design. The merger of resources and technologies are expected to create considerable synergistic effects for both production and R&D. However, from a marketing perspective, Milab and Pearl will still be treated as two separate brands.
Thomas, who will continue to serve as Milab’s CEO, said: “The opportunity to bring these two companies back together after 40 years is a matter of great pride to us all. With the acquisition of Pearl, Milab will strengthen its position as one of the world’s finest manufacturers of high-end microphones, and I look forward to growing the business further.”
Bernt, the previous co-owner and exiting CEO of Pearl is now looking forward to retirement after a life-long career in the microphone business. He said: “With this agreement, we are confident that the wonderful and exciting Pearl technology is in good hands and will live on for another 76 years!”
Bernt and Sven Olof Andersson, exiting Chairman of Pearl, will support the integration of the two companies over the next few months and ensure a smooth transition for both companies’ customers and business partners.
