ICEpower has close ties to the iconic, Danish high-end consumer electronics company, Bang & Olufsen. In 1999, a phD thesis on efficient, compact Class D amplifiers at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) drew the attention of the Bang & Olufsen management. This resulted in a joint venture, which created the foundation for ICEpower a/s. From the start ICEpower became – not just a department of Bang & Olufsen – but a separate, limited company.
At that time, the practical application of Class D technology to audio was new and generating interest in the audio world. The advantages of high efficiency/high power density amplifiers made possible by the new Class D topology became apparent.
ICEpower’s close relationship with Bang & Olufsen made it possible to access resources, design tools, technical expertise, quality processes, and business knowledge at an early stage of the company. And more importantly, it laid the foundation of the high-quality level of ICEpower’s products.
– the 21st century
The relationship with Bang & Olufsen enabled ICEpower to quickly become one of the leading companies in the amplification world. Starting in high-end niche markets, ICEpower developed a range of premium quality audio power conversion engines used by some of the world’s most prestigious audio brands. Both within hi-fi and PRO audio brands, ICEpower served clients such as Bowers & Wilkins, Pioneer, Sony, Alpine, Jeff Rowland, Rotel, RCF as well as Bang & Olufsen’s own products.
Later on, ICEpower were used in Bang & Olufsen’s automotive platforms for AUDI, Mercedes, Aston Martin and BMW. The automotive platform co-operation is today continued with HARMAN. Gradually ICEpower built a powerful OEM business, delivering platforms used in low power systems (e. g. mobile phones) to large scale pro audio line arrays systems.
The song remains the same
– 2016 and onwards
In 2016, realizing the potential of the business as an independent entity, a management buyout supported by Industry Development (Industri Udvikling) – a Danish private equity company – allowed ICEpower to finally begin the development of its full potential.
The relationship with Industry development is not a “hit and run” kind of thing. Industry Development is funded by Danish taxpayer’s savings and the purpose is to turn SME’s (small and medium enterprises) into larger enterprises. The strategic direction and decisions are made by the management of ICEpower, and the management are also majority shareholders.
One of the first strategic moves of ICEpower in 2016 was to acquire Audio Bricks (Sweden) and it’s holding company, thereby also getting access to fundamentals from Anaview – a former competitor founded by Patrik Boström. The two founders of Audio Bricks, Patrik Boström and Lars Press Petersen, were well-known to ICEpower. ICEpower had co-operated with both earlier, and Lars held the position as Innovation Manager at ICEpower from 2003-2008.
Besides the Audio Bricks products (now ICEbricks), Patrik Boström and Lars Press Petersen also brought their patents and ODM-business agreements with a number of semiconductor and A/V companies into ICEpower.
The shareholding managers of ICEpower today are Keld Lindegaard Andersen, CEO, Mads Emil Solgaard Hansen, Sales & Marketing Director, Patrik Boström, CTO amplification and OEM, Lars Press Petersen, CTO SMPS, research and PRO audio.
Recently a number of engineers from TI (Texas Instruments) in Denmark have joined ICEpower at its new HQ in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Strategy and products
The Bang & Olufsen period has enabled ICEpower to develop into a high-quality amplification provider with high audio performance. ICEpower is also the most competitive solution among its peers. We always present a price offer that is better than the competition or at least at the same level as the competition, but with better product characteristics.
Our cost abilities have been reached by building up a best practice in product development and design for cost – also reflected in the latest AS Series (Amplification, Supply). Second and on top of this, ICEpower has decided to always offer our products and services at prices better than similar solutions from others.
Management
Today ICEpower has the agility, power and will to make our customers competitive in their respective market segments.
Supply Chain
The supply chain has been restructured partly by a new EMS co-operation, and partly by a new New Product Introduction-process enabling production of finished goods and cost-effectiveness.
