Two big Audio brands Focal and Naim are set to merge their backend operations in an effort to cut costs. The new business will be called Focal & Co and while the new Company will own the brands they will be marketed as independent brands. The new Company will employ 325 people at its facilities in Saint-Etienne, France, and Salisbury in the UK.

The research & development teams of Focal and Naim will be brought together.

“For future success, the key point is that there is no future for a speaker or electronic company alone,” says Jacques Mahul, founder and chairman Focal & Co. “Partnership and collaboration are the way forward both in terms of investment and R&D. Working together means you can go more quickly and successfully whilst remaining true to the respective brands.”

This announcement comes just days after Naim announced its latest product, the SuperUniti network music system.

Focal designs drivers dedicated to hi-fi loudspeakers and car audio hi-fi systems, while Naim specialises in hi-fi systems.

The Company said “It’s a merger of European minds. We share a passion for audio and together we can move to the next level. We can achieve far more together than would have been possible alone, yet at the same time we are able to retain everything that is unique about Naim/Focal and everything that our customers love us for.”

Focal Co management said that they have some “incredible developments in the pipeline and this alliance will help us get those to market as quickly as possible.”