ETC is a global manufacturer and provider of live event and architectural lighting technology, with a portfolio spanning lighting control systems, lighting fixtures, power and networking solutions, and rigging. Headquartered in Middleton, Wisconsin, ETC serves customers worldwide across theatres, live entertainment venues, studios, educational institutions, houses of worship, museums, themed entertainment, and other architectural and commercial applications. In addition to its product portfolio, ETC offers comprehensive training, technical support, and professional services, enabling customers to design, implement, and operate complex lighting systems.
Pharos is an award-winning UK-based developer and manufacturer of dynamic lighting control systems for architectural, themed entertainment, and largescale visual installations. It’s hardware and software solutions are deployed globally across high profile landmarks, entertainment venues, and complex urban environments, enabling reliable, scalable control of architectural and façade lighting projects.
The acquisition further enhances ETC’s global geographic footprint, leveraging Pharos’ established presence in the European and Asian markets and building on the decade’s long partnership between the two companies. Pharos’ technology will play a key role in strengthening ETC’s architectural controls offering and supporting future growth in this critical space.
“The BDO Deal Advisory team supported us throughout the acquisition process and played an important role in delivering a strategically significant cross border transaction for ETC. Their integrated approach across M&A advisory, financial and tax due diligence, and tax structuring helped streamline the process, and the team was instrumental in enabling us to complete the acquisition on time.”
Corey Everts, Vice President of Compliance / General Counsel, ETC
"We are delighted to have supported ETC with an integrated suite of deal advisory services to support their strategic acquisition of long term collaborator, Pharos Architectural Controls, a leader in dynamic lighting control systems. The transaction showcases the breadth of BDO's deal advisory services, working seamlessly together to achieve efficient and effective outcomes and our cross-border capability."
Roger Buckley, Partner, Mergers & Acquisitions
The Project Team Included:
Roger Buckley, Ben Dawson, Oliver Parker (Mergers & Acquisitions)
Vinod Patel, David Billington, Niel du Toit, Gurdev Singh (Transaction Services - Financial Due Diligence)
Steve Round, Susan Cameron (Tax Due Diligence)
Andrew Riley (Locked Box Advisory)
Laurence Mills, Lawrence McGinley (SPA Advisory)
James Bailey, Thao Truong (Tax Structuring)