Harman International Buys Bang & Olufsen’s Automotive Business

Harman International Industries Inc. has agreed to buy top-end audio system maker Bang & Olufsen AS's automotive operations for €145 million ($156 million).

Stamford, Conn.-based Harman markets in-car audio systems under several brands that include Harman/Kardon, Infinity, JBL and Mark Levinson. Denmark's B&O supplies in-car audio systems to such luxury vehicle makers as Aston Martin, Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The sale gives Harman all B&O automotive customer programs, R&D activities, production operations and exclusive licensing rights to Bang & Olufsen brands in the automotive sector. Harman says it intends rapid growth of the B&O Play lineup of mass-market systems.