Prosound celebrates 50 years in business with the acquisition of AV Worx

Prosound has announced its acquisition of specialist broadcast and AV equipment supplier, AV Worx, from company owner Anton van Wyk. The acquisition will serve to strengthen the group’s distribution business, with a focus on supplying customers in the sub-Saharan African region with broadcast and audio visual equipment.

Prosound director Mark Malherbe said: “Prosound was first established in response to the then-growing demand for professional audio skills and equipment to support the burgeoning large-format live concert market in South Africa and neighbouring states. At the time, there was a very limited professional audio industry in the region, and we quickly identified the gap and filled it.

“Prosound has continued to innovate in response to shifting audio visual market needs in the region. This approach has seen the company move away from the rental and distribution markets to become an internationally respected company specialising in the design, installation and long-term maintenance of some of the region’s most notable theatres, broadcast studios, houses of worship, arenas and stadia,” said Malherbe.

Prosound directors have evaluated market trends and identified the need to support further the rapidly evolving broadcast and pro AV industries in sub-Saharan Africa. “With the emergence of IP technology, the pro AV industry is rapidly evolving, and we want to retain our reputation for providing the most cutting-edge, fit-for-purpose solutions and technology to the rapidly diversifying pro-AV sector in our region,” says Prosound director Justin Acres.

Malherbe and fellow director Justin Acres identified AV Worx and Anton van Wyk as ideal partners to serve the pro AV industry in the post-pandemic market. van Wyk has an great reputation as an audio visual expert, specialising in broadcast technology, taking the opportunity presented by market disruptions over the past three years to start his own pro AV distribution company, AV Worx.

“While I have served in a wide range of roles in the professional audio visual market over the years, my primary passion is, and will always remain, in educating and uplifting the industry,” van Wyk insisted.

“Having worked with both the Prosound and ApexPro teams in the past, I knew that I would find synergy with the companies. I began consulting with directors Mark and Justin late last year on possible collaborations. It quickly became clear that Prosound and ApexPro were ideally suited to provide the team, technical expertise and the aftersales support needed to take my vision for AV Worx to the next level,” van Wyk said.

“The acquisition of AV Worx will ensure we can access and support products and customers, ranging from independent podcasters to large-scale corporate broadcasters, empowering them to compete on an international stage,” Acres concluded.

“I started AV Worx with a vision to strengthen and grow the broadcast and Pro-AV industries in sub-Saharan Africa. The decision to sell the company to Prosound will enable the realisation of that vision while allowing me to serve the industry as an independent consultant to ensure that customers in the region are set up for success. I am very excited about the possibilities this opportunity will open for the entire industry in our region,” van Wyk concluded.