Lab.gruppen to cease manufacturing in Sweden | Pro AVL Asia

Following the disclosure that Tannoy’s Scottish factory is to shut, Music Tribe has announced that Lab.gruppen will close its Swedish manufacturing facility in Faktorvägen.

Founded by schoolfriends Kenneth Andersson and Dan Bävholm in 1979, the renowned amplification manufacturer developed industry standard products including the LAB4000 and fP6400 models. Acquired by TGI Group in 2000, which was itself taken over by TC Group of Denmark two years later, capital investment led to the development of the FP+, PLM, C-, D-, E- and Lucia amplifier platforms over a 15-year cycle of innovation. The PLM Series became the first Lake processor with integrated amplification and led to Lab.gruppen acquiring the exclusive rights to the Lake brand and the Lake processing in 2008. Following Music Tribe’s purchase of the brand in 2015, the E- and Lucia series were expanded.

In an open letter dated 24 October, Music Tribe highlighted that the consolidation of manufacturing operations and significant investment in a new high-tech facility to “deliver the promise of incredible products and focus on integrated customer solutions”. This includes an investment in manufacturing plants in Thailand, China and especially an upcoming Industry 4.0 facility in Malaysia. Music Tribe has also committed to retaining and growing its innovation team in Sweden.

“In line with Music Tribe’s Customer and Digital Obsession Vision, we are committed to ensuring that Lab.gruppen and Lake will remain a world leader in professional and installed sound,” said Lab.gruppen’s product category leader, Hakan Alfredsson. “We have a strong strategic plan to protect the world’s rich heritage while embracing new and emerging markets.”