Britain's Best Kept Secret in Home Entertainment

CAMBRIDGE, England, December 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Meridian Audio Ltd, the independent, family-owned, British manufacturer of high-end audio and video home entertainment systems, enters a ground-breaking industry venture with investment consortium 'Muse'. The alliance consolidates Meridian - which has been a closely-guarded secret amongst discerning cognoscenti desiring the ultimate in home entertainment - as the cream of luxury home entertainment, through the association, and brings it into the wider public arena.

Muse is a consortium of investors assembled by Regency Ventures and includes Swiss luxury goods group Richemont's subsidiary, Columbus VC and the principals of Consolidated Media Holdings and Trian Fund Management.

The partnership creates an industry precedent in closely aligning high-end technology with luxury for the first time in the history of the premium goods industry. The investment allows Meridian to expand its already-successful product operations into new areas, strengthen its development as world-class marketing organisation and further leverage one of the most highly-regarded consumer electronics brands into high-end luxury markets.

Founded in 1977 by audio engineer Bob Stuart and industrial designer Allen Boothroyd, Meridian and headquartered in Cambridge, its modern production facilities are purpose-built for the manufacture of highest quality equipment - from compact integrated audio systems to bespoke home theatre installations - distributed in 56 countries including UK, USA, Russia and Japan.

Meridian is a multi-award winning company gaining much critical and industry acclaim as a world-leader in digital and analogue audio reproduction winning 135 awards for 156 products/innovations to date including the coveted British Design Council Award for Outstanding British Products an unprecedented three times in addition to many other international accolades.

Bob Stuart, Meridian Chairman: "Meridian has a thirty-year history of successfully developing advanced and highly-regarded audio and video products and technologies. As we discussed the formation of the partnership with Muse, we found strong shared values, complementary areas of expertise and unique opportunities to further develop our brand."

Johann Rupert, Executive Chairman of Richemont: "I really admire the quality of Meridian's products and the dedication of their management and workforce to produce only the very best in terms of audio and video equipment. The company is associated with innovative technology, superior performance and a high level of service. These factors combined with the Muse Group's business experience on a global basis result in an intriguing business venture. I look forward to this exciting opportunity of working with the Muse in building the Meridian brand."

Meridian systems and components are available at selected purveyors of luxury hi-fi equipment. Stockists: http://www.meridian-audio.com / +44(0)1480-445-678.