- EPOS offers premium commercial and enterprise audio solutions
- Transaction enhances and broadens our Kensington computer accessories portfolio into the large global enterprise headset category
- Provides key third-party certifications across major unified communications platforms
- Attractive purchase price with ultimate synergy savings of approximately $15 million
ACCO Brands Corporation (NYSE:ACCO) a global leader in branded office and learning products and technology accessories, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire EPOS from Demant A/S, a leading Danish hearing healthcare company.
Based in Copenhagen, Denmark, EPOS provides a comprehensive range of premium enterprise wired and wireless headsets, and other audio solutions, that build on over a century of research in psychoacoustics. The EPOS product line is designed to reduce listening fatigue, improve voice clarity and support cognitive performance. The combination of technological innovation and audio excellence has allowed EPOS to earn certification by all major unified communication platforms, making it one of a select group of industry participants with this distinction. Built on the former joint venture between Demant A/S and Sennheiser, EPOS has a long history of delivering premium, feature rich audio solutions, supported by excellent innovation, design and customer experience.
"We are excited to welcome EPOS to the ACCO Brands portfolio. This transaction aligns with our strategy to invest in markets with better growth profiles," said Tom Tedford, ACCO Brands President and CEO. "EPOS complements and expands our global computer accessories portfolio into the attractive premium enterprise headset category, which is estimated to be $1.7 billion. The addition of EPOS will allow ACCO Brands to deliver a more complete line of workspace technology accessory solutions to our enterprise customers," said Mr. Tedford.
"I am delighted that ACCO Brands, the owner of Kensington, recognizes the value and the distinctiveness of EPOS and has decided to become our new owner. I see strong synergies and exciting opportunities across both EPOS and Kensington to drive our combined business forward," stated Jeppe Dalberg-Larsen, President of EPOS.
EPOS generates approximately $80 million in annual revenue. The combination of EPOS and Kensington is expected to drive operational efficiencies, improve sales productivity, and unlock significant synergies. These synergies are expected to be realized over the next two years, with ultimate cost synergies expected to be within the range of $10 to $15 million. As we implement these synergies, we expect 2026 profit to be modestly positive. Restructuring charges are expected to be approximately $7 million.
The transaction is valued at $11.7 million, including up to $3.5 million in deferred payments, funded by ACCO Brands' existing cash resources. The deal is expected to close in January 2026, subject to customary closing conditions.
About ACCO Brands Corporation
ACCO Brands is the leader in branded consumer products that enable productivity, confidence and enjoyment while working, when learning and while playing. Our widely recognized brands, include AT-A-GLANCE®, Five Star®, Kensington®, Leitz®, Mead®, PowerA®, Swingline®, Tilibra® and many others. More information about ACCO Brands Corporation (NYSE:ACCO) can be found at www.accobrands.com
About Demant A/S
Demant is a world-leading hearing healthcare group built on a heritage of care, health and innovation since 1904. The Group offers innovative technologies, solutions and expertise to help people hear better. In every aspect, from hearing care and hearing aids to diagnostic equipment and services, Demant is active and engaged. Headquartered in Denmark, the Group employs more than 22,000 people globally and is present with solutions in 130 countries creating life-changing differences through hearing health. William Demant Foundation holds the majority of shares in Demant A/S, which is listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen and among the 25 most traded stocks. www.demant.com
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained herein, other than statements of historical fact, particularly those anticipating future financial performance, business prospects, growth, strategies, business operations and similar matters, results of operations, liquidity and financial condition, and those relating to synergies, cost reductions, anticipated pre-tax savings, restructuring costs and the satisfaction of closing conditions for the subject transaction are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of management based on information available to us at the time such statements are made. These statements, which are generally identifiable by the use of the words "will," "believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "estimate," "forecast," "future", "project," "plan," and similar expressions, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, are made as of the date hereof, and we undertake no duty or obligation to update them. Forward-looking statements are subject to the occurrence of events outside the Company's control and actual results, and the timing of events may differ materially from those suggested or implied by such forward-looking statements due to numerous factors that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Investors and others are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements when deciding whether to buy, sell or hold the Company's securities.
Our outlook is based on certain assumptions which we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. These include, without limitation, assumptions regarding consumer demand, tariffs, global geopolitical and economic uncertainties, and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; and the other factors described below.
Among the factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements are: the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the right of ACCO Brands or Demant to terminate the transaction, the possibility that the transaction is not completed or, if completed, that the anticipated benefits of the transaction are not realized when expected or at all, including as a result of the impact of, or problems arising from, the integration of EPOS, operating costs and business disruption following the transaction, the integration of EPOS' products and our ability to realize synergies in the integration, as well as changes in trade policy and regulations, including changes in trade agreements and the imposition of tariffs, and the resulting consequences; global political and economic uncertainties; a limited number of large customers account for a significant percentage of our sales; sales of our products are affected by general economic and business conditions globally and in the countries in which we operate; risks associated with foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; challenges related to the highly competitive business environment in which we operate; our ability to develop and market innovative products that meet consumer demands and to expand into new and adjacent product categories; our ability to successfully expand our business in emerging markets and the exposure to greater financial, operational, regulatory, compliance and other risks in such markets; the continued decline in the use of certain of our products; risks associated with seasonality, the sufficiency of investment returns on pension assets, risks related to actuarial assumptions, changes in government regulations and changes in the unfunded liabilities of a multi-employer pension plan; any impairment of our intangible assets; our ability to secure, protect and maintain our intellectual property rights, and our ability to license rights from major gaming console makers and video game publishers to support our gaming accessories business; our ability to grow profitably through acquisitions, and successfully integrate them; our ability to successfully execute our multi-year restructuring and cost savings program and realize the anticipated benefits; continued disruptions in the global supply chain; risks associated with inflation and other changes in the cost or availability of raw materials, transportation, labor, and other necessary supplies and services and the cost of finished goods; risks associated with outsourcing production of certain of our products, information technology systems and other administrative functions; the failure, inadequacy or interruption of our information technology systems or their supporting infrastructure; risks associated with a cybersecurity incident or information security breach, including that related to a disclosure of personally identifiable information; risks associated with our indebtedness, including limitations imposed by restrictive covenants, our debt service obligations, and our ability to comply with financial ratios and tests; a change in or discontinuance of our stock repurchase program or the payment of dividends; product liability claims, recalls or regulatory actions; the impact of litigation or other legal proceedings; the impact of additional tax liabilities stemming from our global operations and changes in tax laws, regulations and tax rates; our failure to comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations and self-regulatory requirements, the costs of compliance and the impact of changes in such laws; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; the volatility of our stock price; risks associated with circumstances outside our control, including those caused by telecommunication failures, labor strikes, power and/or water shortages, public health crises, such as the occurrence of contagious diseases, severe weather events, war, terrorism and other geopolitical incidents; and other risks and uncertainties described in "Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and in other reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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