business news

Clay Paky Announces RMB Lights and Sounds as Philippines Distributor

Clay Paky has appointed RMB Lights and Sounds as its distributor in the Philippines. Serving the theatrical and television industry for twelve years, RMB is a wholesale provider of specialty lamps throughout the Philippines.

"By working alongside RMB, I am certain that Clay Paky will become an increasingly visible brand in the Philippine market and surrounding regions," said Massimo Bolandrina, Clay Paky sales manager for the region. "This relationship has come about as the result of RMB’s regular use of Clay Paky products on a number of high profile projects in the region and the excellent product support the company offers to its clients."

Clay Paky’s innovative fixtures are no strangers to the Philippine entertainment industry. The manufacturer partnered with RMB Lights and Sounds in 2011 to bring Clay Paky’s popular Sharpy fixture to several major projects including: Party Pililinas, ASAP Rocks, and WillTime BigTime - all appearing on major television networks in the Philippines. In 2012 Clay Paky fixtures supported the expertise of lighting designer Ms Skakira Villa Symes at New Year’s events with the Republiq Club Resort, the Tanduay RockFest at the SM Mall of Asia and the Requiem Concert at the NBC Tent.

"I’ve always been impressed with the innovation, quality, and feature sets of the products plus the backup service I’ve received from the Clay Paky team," says Mercedes L. Rufino, RMB’s vice president and marketing director of RMB.

Rufino has been specifying the Clay Paky product on RMB projects since 2010 and is delighted by the new partnership saying: "There’s no doubt that Clay Paky fixtures offer exactly the type of product our market is crying out for. The construction quality, reliability and performance of the fixtures are second to none."

Originally named Nictron Marketing, RMB Lights and Sounds has been a wholesale provider of special lamps for television studios and projector lamps since 2000. In 2002, the company started importing audio equipment and entertainment lighting while opening the company’s first store at "Raon, Quiapo", the Electronics capital of the Philippines. Now located in Quezon City, RMB Lights and Sounds has a vision of delivering high quality products and excellent after sales service. In the future, RMB is planning to have units available for rental to stage and lighting companies, TV Stations and the theatre industry. In addition, RMB is planning product installations in hotels, restaurants, cinemas, theme parks and entertainment venues.

The partnership between Clay Paky and RMB promises to have excellent benefits for both companies as Clay Paky products continue to gain visibility in the region.

 

 

www.claypaky.it

21st May 2012

Alcons Comes to Incredible India!

Alcons Audio has opened a direct office presence in India offering customers full factory support. The Dutch masters of sound will be operating out of Mumbai and Bangalore initially, with expansion planned to other cities in the near future.

“Alcons is installing systems around the world and it was high time we entered an important market like India,” says co-founder and managing director Tom Back. “Having successfully established our American presence, India is the next step. It is an important growth market - like Brazil, China, US and Europe - and since we didn’t have a distribution presence here we have set up a direct office.”

“A quality brand like Alcons requires direct factory support so that we can give reliable and sustainable technical advice and customer support,” says Alcons Audio India MD John-Paul Douma. “It is a commitment to our brand and to India, saying: we’re here and we’re here to stay.”

The initial hires for the Alcons India team include sound professionals Dhaval Mastakar (sales manager) and Amesh Sharma (technical support manager), both ex-Harman. Akshata Sirsikar, who has a background in the Indian music industry, completes the team as head of marketing.

Alcons made its entry into the Indian market in 2011 at the PALM Expo, and in the short span of time, it has managed to win over its own distinct set of admirers by distinguishing itself as the new brand that delivers a ‘differently unique’ approach. Now in 2012, Alcons Audio has officially established Alcons Audio India Pvt Ltd.

A key component in helping Alcons setting itself apart from the competition is its proprietary pro-ribbon transducer technology, which promises high fidelity sound at high sound pressure levels, and a loud and clear audio experience.

Owing to its keen eye for detail, well integrated DSP-driven speakers and amplified loudspeaker controllers, and an active R&D department that consistently applies innovative patents to creating different speakers and amplifiers for different environments, Alcons has soon come to be recognised as a premium pro audio brand globally.

In terms of tapping the Indian market potentials, Alcons will be pitching its ‘Evolutionary Audio Solutions’ in India primarily to the touring systems, installed sound and cinema market segments. At the same time, the company will also be promoting its range of line arrays for touring systems that includes the newly announced LR24 mid-size line-array, ideal for large concerts and events requiring professional sound systems, thereby completing Alcons’ size range of systems.

But Alcons is also strong on installed sound systems in clubs, bars, hotels and places of worship, where the right musical ambiance is important. With systems like the LR7 micro line-array and QR36 line-source column, Alcons creates higher quality sound and musical clarity, thereby protecting customer comfort levels.

“Apart from being a growth market, India has a rich cinema tradition and we have the optimal products for this,” says Tom Back. “Developments like 3D and Digital cinema have enhanced the cinematic experience and Alcons’ Cinemarray cinema systems generate a sound quality equally superior, “ he added. “Together they create a whole new level of cinematic experience.”

Alcons Audio will be participating at the PALM Expo this June in Mumbai, and will be displaying its latest technological offerings to the pro audio market at Stall I29 – 36 at the expo. At the same time, Tom Back will also be conducting a seminar on ‘The Sound Characteristics of the Pro Ribbon Driver’ which will take place on Day 2 of the PALM Expo i.e. June 1st 2012, at the PALM Conference Hall (Mezzanine Floor at Hall No. 1).

16th May 2012

Rebrand Establishes MGC Lighting as International Distributor

Established international lighting distributor, MGC Lamps has announced a new name and a new identity. As from Tuesday May 8, the business which operates in over 90 countries Worldwide became MGC Lighting Group.

"MGC Lighting Group better reflects the market areas we operate in and reinforces that we are the lighting distributor of choice for our customers," managing director James Greig commented. "We have worked hard over the last 30 years to establish a good reputation. Although the old name has served us well, we needed a facelift to reflect that we are a large modern company with global coverage, a loyal customer base, and a team that possess technical knowledge that is second to none in our industry."

MGC Lighting Group was conceived after a six month process that involved the whole team working at its three offices in the UK, Germany and Spain. Workshops were held to consult with staff and a voting system was used to select the final logo. Under the MGC Lighting Group banner will be eight divisional brands specific to the specialist lighting areas and markets the company works in. These are: MGC Cinema, MGC Purification, MGC Medical, MGC Stage & Studio, MGC LED, MGC International, MGC Lamps, and MGC OEM.

As well as the new name and brand, there is also a new web site for the company:

www.mgc-lighting.com not only gives visitors up to minute advice on lighting products to suit all types of specification, but also provides advice and comment from individuals within the MGC team on industry trends.

"The launch of the new MGC Lighting Group brand is just the start of the journey however and places us on course to take full advantage of any future business opportunities whether they are in the UK, Europe and Worldwide," James concluded.

In picture: the MGC Lighting Group senior management team of John Revell, Jeff Sawyer, James Greig, Steve Claydon and David Jackson.

10th May 2012

Coemar Strengthens Presence in Korea with C&C Lightway

Coemar and C&C Lightway have now strengthened their business relationship. C&C will distribute Coemar products in Korea as an exclusive supplier and dealer.

"I’m delighted with this agreement with C&C," – comments Salvatore Grillo, sole director of Coemar S.p.A . "It’s the result of a close synergy between the two parties. For Coemar this means being able to set up a stable partnership with a highly qualified company operating in Korea, a rapidly-growing market for applications for entertainment and infrastructures. In the latter sector Coemar is gaining an increasing market share with lines of dedicated products."

"We’re very proud," comments H.M. Chung, managing director and president of C&C Lightway – to have finalised our partnership with Coemar, a prestigious name that will play a leading role in our already excellent business in Korea."

"C&C Lightway was established in 1994," explains Mr Chung, " to support professional lighting systems for theatrical, studio and architectural markets. Since then we’ve made numerous achievements thanks to trust and support from our valued clients. We support the Asian lighting industry by providing the highest level of backup for creative and technical projects. We are pleased to announce that C&C have entered into a partnership with Coemar, which will give us a better understanding of new global market trends and the transition to innovative technologies in the theatrical and architectural markets. We believe that by working with such a prominent and richly experienced company C&C can assist clients from various sectors at all levels of project development and create greater synergies by providing complete lighting systems."

In picture: Luca Faini (Coemar), Ho Mok Chung (president of C&C Lightway), Salvatore Grillo (sole director of Coemar), Rachel Lee (C&C Lightway), Fausto Orsatti (Coemar).

8th May 2012

ETBOOKS now available as EBOOKS!

All Entertainment Technology Press books are now available in Kindle format as well as remaining purchasable as a well-established library of paperbacks.

Subjects covered include lighting, sound, staging and stage engineering, rigging and trussing, design and build, theatre history and biographical works.

The Kindle versions of ET books are available to purchase through Amazon at

www.etbooks.co.uk/kindle

27th April 2012

Amber Announces Key Distributor Appointments

Amber International, the residential CI distribution business for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, created by the owners of BMB Electronics BV and AWE Europe Ltd, has announced the first wave of sub-distributor appointments to represent its URC, TruAudio, PlanetWaves and Kinetik Labs brands in key market territories.

Excel in Italy, Avero in Ukraine and TR Electronic Services in Israel will act as sub-distributors for Amber International’s URC control brand. QVinta will be Amber’s partner in Russia for TruAudio whilst in Italy, Definitive Audio will represent the Planet Waves brand. These appointments build on the existing representation provided by AWE Europe and BMB for URC and Kinetik Labs products in the UK and the Netherlands, respectively.

"The brands that Amber represents demand individual treatment, so it is not a case of a one size distributor fits all," says Willem Bok, co-owner of Amber International. "What both Amber and our brands do share is a requirement for committed partners who are well respected, committed and can provide a high level of service to dealers in their respective countries. For URC in particular, a high level of technical and training support is essential to capitalise on the market opportunity."

Amber International is looking to build on this growing sub-distribution network, and is actively seeking residential CI distribution partners across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Interested companies can contact Amber’s Sales Manager Mark van Zonvia sales@amber-international.com.

Amber International is a separate trading entity which has taken over the international sales, marketing and technical support within EMEAA (Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia) and beyond of key CI brands URC, TruAudio, Planet Waves and Kinetik Labs. The company is headquartered in a superb purpose built 3160 sq/m (34,000sq/ft) facility in Veen, The Netherlands and shares warehousing and logistics facilities with BMB.

In picture: Darren (Electronic Architects – South Africa), Doug (VP URC), Mark van Zon – Piotr Jagodinzki (Imagine Vision – Poland) and Ian (Electronic Architects – South Africa).

24th April 2012

GLP Appoints Pacific Lighting for Singapore and Malaysia

The Pacific Lighting’s Singapore operation has recently been appointed as exclusive distributor for GLP — in both the Singapore and Malaysian territories.

Pacific Lighting director Hugh Chinnick says he is delighted at the future prospects this partnership offers to both companies. “GLP is a growing company, with a track record for innovation and quality. We have been very cautious in entering the moving LED fixture market, but are confident that GLP will successfully fit into our existing bespoke product range.” Fauzan Fadil, general manager of Pacific Lighting (Singapore) Pte Ltd, is equally excited at the prospects of dealing with another quality brand.

Michael Münz, general manager GLP Asia, added: “I am very happy to have Pacific Lighting on board with us. They are a very experienced and well known player throughout Asia and the perfect match for GLP. Together with them we are looking forward to maintaining our rapid growing in Asia.”

Since the opening of GLP’s Asian Office little under two years ago, sales in the region have increased dramatically. “Recently GLP fixtures such as the impression Spot One has started to appear on an increasing number of riders from famous local artists such as Leon Lai and Aaron Kwok,” he stated.

Pacific Lighting, whose HQ is in Hong Kong, is well known throughout the region, with strong contacts not only in the rental/concert industry but also theatre and architectural markets. “These markets are particularly relevant to our latest product ranges due to the very low noise level, and long lifetime and low maintenance characteristics of the impression series,” concluded Mr. Münz.

20th April 2012

Visit to the KLOTZ Cables Factory in Vilchband / Wittighausen

Following the ProLight+Sound / musikmesse 2012 trade show in Frankfurt am Main, KLOTZ Cables invited its Asia Pacific distributors on a tour of the production and storage facility in Vilchband / Wittighausen. The visitors had come from as far afield as Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Korea, Hong Kong and Australia and all receive service from the KLOTZ Cables office in Singapore. After the successful conclusion of ProLight+Sound / musikmesse on 24 March, visitors were taken to Munich together with Kamal Mahtani, business manager Asia Pacific at KLOTZ Cables in Singapore.

Kamal Mahtani and the group set off from Vaterstetten to Vilchband on Monday morning. Given the importance of KLOTZ Cables as a major employer in the region, the Mayor of Wittighausen, Bernhard Henneberger, was eager to welcome the visitors personally with a short speech. The tour offered interesting insights into the production, assembly, testing, warehousing and logistics processes at KLOTZ Cables. Visitors were unanimous in their appreciation: Michael Chouw from KLOTZ Cables distributor Top Plot (Hong Kong/China/Macau) reflected afterwards that he now understood far more about the products, primarily the high quality of KLOTZ products and the 'Made in Germany' label which holds such a high status in the Asia Pacific region, and would now be able to effectively convince his customers of these key benefits.

16th April 2012

Dirty Rigger Heads Down Under

Reaching new depths, this week Le Mark Group's Dirty Rigger product team announced its first distribution deal into the arduous mining industry.

Australia based MTI Group, market leaders in mining consumables, will be the first company in its industry to take on the range and distribute across their entire network.

Dirty Rigger’s product manager Steve Marshall says: "I don’t know of an industry more demanding than mining. Our rigging gloves have been tested outside their comfort zone previously but this will be the biggest test of their construction to date. With the latest Comfort Fit re-design and new materials, our introductory range is now stronger and more resistant to abrasion and wear than ever before. I have every confidence they’ll be well received and withstand the gruelling environment of mining."

www.dirtyrigger.com

12th April 2012

Stage Technologies Offices in China

Stage Technologies offices in Hong Kong and Macau are pleased to assist clients in English, Cantonese and Mandarin. Whether you are looking for automation control systems, performer flying, or other stage engineering expertise, get in touch.

The new Stage Technologies Asia Pacific office in Kowloon, Hong Kong is now located at:

Room 31, Roof Floor, Block B, Eldex Industrial Building, 21 Ma Tau Wai Road, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong Tel: (+852) 2333-4430

adolf.mak@stagetech.com

10th April 2012

Amber International – the New Name in Distribution

This year’s Integrated Systems Europe event marked the launch of Amber International, a brand new residential CI distribution business, created by the owners of BMB Electronics BV and AWE Europe Ltd and built on the respective strengths of these two businesses.

This new company is a separate trading entity which has taken over the international sales, marketing and technical support within EMEAA (Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia) and beyond of key CI brands URC,TruAudio and Planet Waves. Amber International has also been appointed to represent the Kinetik Labs brand across EMEAA. Willem Bok, owner of BMB, is a co-owner of the new venture with AWE’s Managing Director, Stuart Tickle. The company is headquartered in a superb purpose built 3160 sq/m (34,000 sq/ft) facility in Veen, The Netherlands and shares warehousing and logistics facilities with BMB, under the leadership of Stuart Tickle. While the co-operation will be beneficial to all, both BMB and AWE remain fully independent territorial distributors for their respective brands, with no direct impact on the markets they serve in Benelux and the UK.

“Amber International is immediately positioned as a leading force in international distribution of high quality CI products,” says Amber’s managing director, Stuart Tickle. “Retaining the strengths of BMB’s existing relationships, resources and presence in international markets, Amber also draws on AWE’s significant sales, marketing and technical expertise which is proven to develop business for leading brands in the UK. This collaboration presents a clear direction and strategy for the brands it represents, which will enable Amber to build awareness and significantly increase sales.”

He adds: “We are 100% clear in the focus of our business, and committed to its success. Amber is set to become a beacon in the industry, renowned for the quality of products and services it provides.”

Amber’s team will comprise its own dedicated personnel as well as drawing on experience from within BMB and AWE. As Amber’s International Sales Manager, Mark van Zon now has a clear portfolio of brands to represent and will build upon the business and relationships he has already established whilst representing the brands over the past year.

 

5th April 2012

Electrosonic’s Shanghai Office Receives Corporate Status to Conduct Business in China

Electrosonic’s Shanghai office has been designated a Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprise (WFOE), an officially registered limited liability corporation. This important step forward allows Electrosonic to continue to pursue new business opportunities in China as a legally licensed design consulting and systems integration company while maintaining full control of business operations.

Electrosonic is an international audio-visual company that provides high technology systems integration for theme parks, museums and other entertainment venues and applications. For the last five years, Electrosonic has successfully been building its brand in China and across Asia, working with the largest local development companies. Clients include owner-operator, design and production companies.

"We are very excited about the WFOE designation for our Shanghai office and look forward to the many new opportunities it affords us," says Chris Conte, Electrosonic’s VP of entertainment. "We can now expand and grow our partnerships with local product suppliers, fabricators and installers, which will enhance our efficiency on the ground."

Electrosonic’s China operations will conduct business under the new legal name, Electrosonic Audio-Visual Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. The office will continue to be led by Nancy Liu who heads the China sales and marketing efforts. Electrosonic also maintains a Hong Kong office for support and production.

Electrosonic has a number of recent high profile projects in China to its credit. The company played an extensive role in Expo 2010 Shanghai, which welcomed more than 70 million visitors to its futuristic theme of "Better City, Better Life." Electrosonic provided audio, video and show control systems for the China State Shipbuilding Pavilion, a mammoth, permanent structure exploring the country’s maritime history and concepts for future floating cities and farms.

Electrosonic also supported its long-time client BRC Imagination Arts with their design and production of the Information & Communication Pavilion, which was presented by China Mobile and China Telecom. Electrosonic designed and implemented audio, video and control systems, and facilitated visitors’ hands-on experience with an innovative handheld device. At the USA Pavilion, another BRC production, a Hollywood-style, multi-dimensional presentation told the story of the American spirit of perseverance, innovation and community building. Electrosonic provided design, engineering, fabrication, installation, content encoding and show programming for the AV and control systems in the USA Pavilion lobby and auditoria.

In addition, Electrosonic supplied theme park developer OCT with all the AV solutions for new attractions at Happy Valley outside Shanghai and Window of the World in Shenzhen – both of them movie-based dark rides with domed screens and 4D effects. Electrosonic furnished full projection systems and screens, the main show controllers, 4D effects and full audio and lighting.

4th April 2012

W-DMX Gains New OEM Partners and Distributors at Prolight + Sound

Wireless Solution Sweden AB had one of its most successful Prolight + Sound shows in Frankfurt, Germany, showing both new products and some innovative advancements to their product range while signing new OEM partners and distributors.

Wireless Solution added to their growing OEM partners with the additions of Robert Juliat, Studio Due, and Ape Labs. Details of products offered with W-DMX will be released soon.

The company also appointed Acoustic & Lighting system as distributor for Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. Eugene Yeo, MD for Acoustic & Lighting said, “W-DMX for is a the number one brand for wireless DMX, plus it’s important for us to keep our brands harmonious as we also work with Clay Paky and PR Lighting that already use W-DMX inside their products.”

Wireless Solution now has over 40 OEM partners and an ever-expanding network of distributors worldwide, making it the most accessible wireless DMX product available. This growth is a reflection of the company’s dedication to clients and end-users to provide the most technologically advanced system on the market.

At Prolight + Sound, the latest G4S W-DMX was on display. The company has been working since October 2011on a completely new software platform with the lowest latency in the market under 5ms, available for a software update on all existing Micro F-1, BlackBox, WhiteBox and ProBox units already shipped via the USB Dongle. It is prepared for future hardware functions as well as many new features and updated functions.

The W-DMX G4S software platform includes an improved adaptive frequency hopping algorithm that improves the plug and play use in crowded radio spectrum situations and better avoids interference from Wi-Fi, DECT Phones, Intercom and more; a new Invisi-Wire MK2 with support for wireless software updates, which in the future will make it possible to perform wireless software updates to all your receivers, with an easy connection to your transmitters with all receivers updated at the same time; improved Data-Safe MK2 that now supports up to 4 times redundancy of all the wireless data with a new watchdog function that ensures all receivers will have the highest fidelity; and new RDM MK2 software with custom made features for W-DMX as well as all standard RDM commands. Fast discovery and support up to 128 RDM Responders and more.

In addition, the new W-DMX Slot In makes it very easy to retrofit products for the market and is available for both transmitters and receivers. It is appropriate for products that only want to offer a wireless option on products without a big investment.

Also on display were the improved BlackBox MK2 and the flagship product, W-DMX ProBox F-2500, both with substantial upgrades.

Niclas Arvidsson, CEO of Wireless Solution says: “The feedback we got at Prolight+Sound proved that we are listening to our users’ wishes and delivering the best product on the market. We’re also very excited that W-DMX will now be offered in products from such prestigious brands like Robert Juliat, Studio Due and Ape Labs. It’s becoming easier every day to have a completely cohesive wireless system.”

2nd April 2012

Frankfurt more than Doubles SGM’s Wildest Expectations

After four gruelling days of constant stand activity, Peter Johansen, managing director of the newly independent SGM A/S, declared: “Looking at the sales figures, Prolight+Sound has more than doubled our wildest expectations.”

Describing the four days of PL+S as “exhausting but 100% positive”, the Danish entrepreneur said: “I have been attending trade shows since the late 1980s — including all the years we were building Martin Professional — but I have never experienced a reaction like this.”

SGM launched no fewer than 19 LED-based products within their surreal, minimalist White Room, which was constantly buzzing with activity. Running in parallel were back-to-back distributor meetings designed to redraw their global distribution landscape.

“We set out a clear, point-by-point strategy that all SGM resellers need to comply with — and this will determine who will represent the brand around the world,” Peter Johansen continued.

As for the theatre, plinth-mounted under a 300-piece 3D LED rod ceiling, were a series of new LED colour changers, washes, floods, spots, strobes, decorative and architectural effects whose form factor was unrecognisable from conventional heads. These beautifully styled fixtures are aimed at a raft of market segments including clubbing/DJ, retail, rental/TV, architectural and theatre.

SGM’s manifesto is unequivocal: their unique portfolio will contain no ‘me too’ products and promises to propel the industry into a new age; within two years it will be entirely LED based.

“The era of moving heads has gone and it was really encouraging for most of the distributors to hear me say that,” continued Peter. “The big problem is that each lighting company has 20-25 moving heads and they are bringing out five to ten more every year which is scaring the pro guys. Our focus is on the future products and accommodating the wishes from the rental companies.

“We will have three LED moving heads maximum, and that message was very well received. The Spot, Wash and Beam will become our workhorses.”

While SGM’s game-changing strobes — the X-5 white strobe and XC-5 colour — are now in production, along with the P-5 powerful wash light, LED balls and TLD-612 pixel driver, it was the ingenious Six Pack that created the biggest wow factor.

This unique pixel array is based on the popular blinder — but by replacing the traditional halogen with RGBA LED source and combining six outputs of powerful 50W colour mixing with built-in electronics, and individual DMX control over each lamp, it allows the creative LD to paint light canvasses displaying animated text or programmed patterns. The housing itself is trapezoidal-shaped so that multiples can be hung in vertical or horizontal matrixes or clustered into an array.

“We didn't receive a single negative comment,” said Peter Johansen. “Although it was designed as a rental company product night clubs loved its multiple beams and one club designer wanted to motorise it in the way that Peter Wynne Willson and Tony Gottelier used to do with their rigs.”

Reaction to the white strobe was equally positive. “This was because we were able to show the pixelation,” he added. “No-one has seen anything like it before.”

The overview from the market was clear. As one distributor put it: “Peter Johansen is back, big-time.”

In picture: Peter Johansen in The White Room; the SGM ‘showroom’ for the 19 new LED products launched.

30th March 2012

ARRI Lighting Solutions and ADB-TTV Technologies Announce Cross-Marketing Agreement

ARRI Lighting Solutions and ADB-TTV Technologies have entered into a cross marketing agreement with the double objective of exploiting the synergies between their product ranges and exploring opportunities for rationalising their product spectrum.

In the field of lighting, ARRI’s strengths lie primarily in TV studio and location lighting systems, while those of ADB are in stage lighting. The agreement makes provision for each party to source from the other those complementary products needed when bidding for specific lighting projects. Beyond this, each party will retain its total commercial independence.

Sigrid Müller, managing director of ARRI Lighting Solutions and Christian Léonard, CEO of ADB-TTV Technologies, jointly stated: "We strongly believe that this agreement will be a win-win deal, strengthening each party’s competitive position and proving beneficial to our customers, thanks to a more homogeneous product offering that marries the best of two worlds."

www.adblighting.com

20th March 2012

HHB Communications Releases Biggest Ever Annual Catalogue

Broadcast and pro audio technology specialists HHB Communications has announced the release of the HHB 2012 Catalogue, its biggest ever annual catalogue with information on over 2,000 professional audio products and editorial features from industry leading experts.

Produced for over three decades, the HHB Catalogue is a comprehensive guide to the latest pro audio technology for the broadcast, education, music recording, OB, post, radio, television and video games markets. The HHB 2012 Catalogue is the biggest edition yet, featuring information on products for file-based workflow, MADI, audio over IP, HD, loudness, Pro Tools, storage, and many more professional applications. Detailed descriptions, specifications, pictures and pricing for all available items are included.

The HHB Catalogue is also a trusted technical reference source due to its original editorial features written by an extremely high calibre of industry experts. This year's contributors include 2012 Olympics sound designer Dennis Baxter, who discusses best practices for capturing surround sound audio during sporting events, TC Electronic's Thomas Lund on the measuring and monitoring of loudness, Sound on Sound technical editor Hugh Robjohns on the latest video and audio network formats, and many more.

HHB managing director Ian Jones comments: "The HHB 2012 Catalogue is the biggest and best we have ever produced and a must-have for any pro audio professional. We have worked very hard to make this edition as complete as possible as we continue to grow our partnerships with leading brands whilst adding new products to make our portfolio the most comprehensive in the world."

The HHB 2012 Catalogue is also available in a convenient and searchable form online.

21st February 2012

Milos Launches New Website

Leading European trussing manufacturer Milos has announced the launch of a brand new corporate website: www.milosgroup.com.

This features a cool, contemporary design and a fresh new, intuitive user-interface, slickly optimised for fast, straightforward navigation by product, market sector and application.

A number of unique features have been developed to ensure that Milos clients and users have access to a powerful, constantly updated online portal, containing a wealth of information to make purchasing or planning for upcoming projects and investments quick and simple.

These include

• Expanded Photo and Design Galleries to help inspire the creative process and illustrate the many possibilities using the dynamic product ranges
• A full set of high quality instructional videos – arranged by product – are available for download
• Complete product specifications, catalogues and CAD blocks are available for instant download in convenient formats
• Detailed showcases of recent Milos projects

A new Shopping List feature soon to be activated will dispatch the customer’s ‘Shopping List’ directly to one of Milos’ sales consultants to streamline and prioritise the ordering process. This is designed for the ultimate convenience of Milos’ customers from wherever they happen to be at the time, giving instant access to Milos’ renowned service and fast turnarounds.

The website will include all details on Milos’s comprehensive range of aluminium trussing products including QuickTruss, xStages, temporary roofing systems and rigging towers, ground and video screen supports, plus the numerous accessories including corner and angle blocks, cell clamps, etc.

A New Products section will highlight the latest innovations from the Milos design team, currently including :

•  T12, an inventive new modular trussing system – with LED lightsources integrated into the structural tube profiles to create backlit displays, luminescent counters or special spaces contoured with light.
• xTruss – an intelligent line of accessories compatible with all QuickTruss systems, which allow the simple mounting of a diverse selection of materials – visibly or invisibly, horizontally or vertically – sustainably and effectively. Brackets, clamps, fabric profiles, and panel clips offer clever, simple solutions to increase the versatility and aesthetic appeal of QuickTruss.
• Ramps – robustly constructed, and ideal for all markets and structural projects
• Crowd barriers

The company’s Facebook, Twitter and You Tube channels can also be accessed through the site.

20th February 2012

Peter Johansen Acquires SGM Lighting from RCF Group

RCF Group has announced the sale of SGM, its lighting division, to a consortium headed by Danish entrepreneur Peter Johansen (pictured) with effect from February 1st 2012.

The new company, SGM A/S, which replaces the former SGM Technology for Lighting spa, will be headquartered in Aabyhøj, near Aarhus, and will concentrate exclusively on developing LED solutions, while continuing to support SGM’s current catalogue of discharge lighting.

For Peter Johansen, the man who originally founded Martin Professional, and who joined SGM in late 2010 as R&D director, the buyout provides the opportunity to spearhead his own company again, dedicated to LED development in the entertainment and architectural segments.

For RCF Group, by divesting themselves of the lighting interest they purchased in April 2009, the company can focus on its core audio brand, and build on the start to a year that has already seen sales grow by nearly 50% on the equivalent period last year.

Peter Johansen said the decision was entirely amicable and suits both parties. He added: “I am delighted to be back as an independent operator, as I have always worked better this way.”

However, the two companies will not be making a total split. RCF will continue to represent SGM in Italy while their sister company, dBTechnologies will distribute their products in Germany. The two companies will also exhibit side by side at Prolight+Sound in Frankfurt following the successful formula established last year.

As the major shareholder in SGM A/S, Peter Johansen is joined by the LED specialists from his Danish R&D team and the existing SGM sales force. In the new set-up, R&D, admin and after-sales will be based in Denmark, with manufacturing plants in Italy, Thailand and China, and warehousing in Holland.

“The reason I’m so enthusiastic is that having had the opportunity to take over an existing brand name, and been given a free hand to develop it, we remain committed to establishing SGM as one of the absolute leading brands within the industry,” he said. “I want us to be seen as the LED company of the future.”

By the time Prolight+Sound opens on March 21st, SGM A/S anticipates having as many as 17 new LED products to showcase.

The new contact details for the company are: SGM A/S, Soeren Frichs Vej 51-53, DK - 8230 Aabyhoej, Denmark telephone +45 7020 7400.

 

7th February 2012

Giant Snowball Causes ETNOW Delays!

Regular users of www.etnow.com may have noticed the somewhat tardy arrival of this morning's ET news stories.

This delay was caused by the mysterious appearance of a very large snowball right in the entrance of the Cambridge Media Group's car park. Staff were unable to reach their desks until the snowball had been broken up and shovelled aside to allow access to the premises!

6th February 2012

TEAC Announces Strategic Alliance with Onkyo Corporation

As part of its corporate goal to enhance shareholder value and meet the demands of a changing marketplace, TEAC Corporation, the global electronics manufacturer, has announced a strategic alliance with Onkyo Corporation, a worldwide leader in consumer audio. The alliance between Onkyo and TEAC is particularly synergistic in that both companies share a commitment to excellence and a passion for engineering, designing and manufacturing products that deliver value and exceed customer’s expectations.

Through this strategic alliance TEAC and Onkyo will acquire shares of each other’s stock. The companies are exploring ways to share manufacturing facilities, logistic centers and research and development resources. TEAC president, Yuji Hanabusa stated that strategic alliance of Onkyo and TEAC will make both companies more competitive in an ever changing market. Onkyo president, Munenori Otsuki, stated that the alliance with TEAC offers unique opportunities to both companies to leverage each other’s considerable strengths to provide innovative life changing products to its customers.

30th January 2012

LumenRadio AB, TMB and City Theatrical, Inc. Settle Litigation

LumenRadio AB, TMB and City Theatrical, Inc. have entered into a Confidential Settlement Agreement that settles all current litigation between the Parties and resolves all of the claims and counterclaims that the Parties asserted against one another.

As part of the Settlement Agreement, LumenRadio AB has obtained a license from City Theatrical, Inc. to United States Patent No. 7,432,803 (the ‘803 Patent) and all patents in the ‘803 Patent family that covers all LumenRadio wireless lighting control products that have been sold in the past and that are currently being sold, including those sold to LumenRadio’s OEM customers

13th January 2012

Norwest Productions Joins Adamson Energia Exclusive Beta Partners List

With phase one of Project Energia well under way, Adamson along with CMI Music and Audio have announced that Norwest Productions has joined the illustrious group of beta partners with the purchase of an E15 beta system to service the Australasian market.

Chris Kennedy, founder of Norwest Productions who already own a large inventory of Adamson including Y18s, Y10s and T21s, states: “Our Adamson Y18/Y10 systems are our flagship premium systems and demand for them is always very strong. This is an opportunity we could not pass up.”

CMI Music and Audio has had quite a success in achieving market penetration since becoming Australian and New Zealand distributors of Adamson, supplying systems to rental companies and facilitating several installations into churches, not least is one of the world’s largest permanent installations at Hillsong Church’s headquarters in Baulkham Hills just outside of Sydney. “We’ve been having a good time with Adamson and are really excited about project Energia,” explains Peter Trojkovic CEO of CMI Music and Audio. “We are very pleased to have Norwest join the exclusive Beta Partner testing group, as they are huge fans of Adamson and their enthusiasm is contagious,” he continues.

Adamson Systems' founder, Brock Adamson commented on the new Beta partner: "Chris Kennedy and his team at Norwest have worked hard to help build our presence throughout the Asia Pacific region. We hear nothing but great reviews about service, packaging and equipment performance whenever they are involved. There is no question with anyone at Adamson, Norwest is the top choice for an Energia partner in Australia."

15th December 2011

Apex Audio goes the Rightway in China

Belgian manufacturer Apex Audio joins a raft of leading brands in China as it moves its distribution for the area to Rightway Audio Consultants.

"When we establishment Rightway, our aim was to offer advanced audio products to boost the level of product sales, engineering and systems integration of technologies into the Chinese market," explains Monica Au, marketing and communications executive at Rightway. "Our first priority has always been the quality of the brands we work with. We distribute a variety of top brands under an exclusive basis, which fully satisfies the needs of the audio professionals.

"The demand for audio equipment, especially at a professional level, is expanding due to the cultural development of the audio industry in Mainland China. To meet the various demands of our customers, we need to provide equipment with advanced technology.

"Apex is a professional audio manufacturer with more than 20 years of history. It is the first company to create a product that uniquely combined a graphic equalizer and multiple parametric/notch filter in a single device. With this unique technology, the Intelli-Series can process up to 192 kHz and is the one and only products we have seen of such a high standard. We believe Apex products, which can control SPL and protect valuable speakers, can fulfill most customers’ requirements. And that is one of the reasons why we chose to be the distributor of Apex."

Rightway’s sales and marketing strategy will ensure that, although a new face to the market, Apex will quickly become a popular solution.

"In order to increase the sales channels and open the market for Apex in China, the first thing we need to do is to promote the brand and build a good image for Apex, since it is still very fresh to the market in China," continues Monica. "This will be through a combination of advertising, exhibitions, online promotion and our network of high caliber dealers, contractors and system integrators throughout China. Of course, these dealers, contractors and system integrators are strictly selected. They must have an excellent reputation and outstanding accomplishments as it is our goal to provide performance-based products with the very best customer service and support."

This comprehensive approach is enhanced with sales and technical training, the first session of which took place in October.

"Rightway Audio consultants was honoured to invite Apex technical Director, Mr. Renaud Schoonbroodti and International Sales Representative Craig Lovell to visit Guangzhou, China to introduce Apex products to our sales and technical team and also share some experiences with them," Monica adds.

"Craig gave a general product overview, introducing all the benefits and unique characteristics of Apex products. This was followed by a product demonstration, where Renaud showed us how to operate the Inteli-X. A Q&A session was included in the training, which made it more interactive.

"The training went extremely well and Rightway is excited about its future with Apex in China."

"Rightway is one of the most well respected distributors of audio products in China," says Jeroen Sierjacobs, Apex marketing manager. "We are very pleased that they have chosen to distribute Apex products and, with Righway’s expertise, look forward to becoming a successful brand in the region."

9th December 2011

Midas PRO2 takes Indonesian Market by Storm

The Midas PRO2 and PRO2C live audio systems were given their first Asian unveiling during the JAPEX Exhibition in Jakarta in November. Midas’ Indonesian distributor, PT Gracia Auvindo, together with Midas’ David Cooper, demonstrated the new consoles on their booth.

"We are very proud to be the first to show the amazing PRO2 in Asia," says Thomsen Phan, managing director, PT Gracia Auvindo. "With the unbeatable sound quality of an XL8, an extremely easy to use control surface, very stable architecture and the networking capability of larger Midas digital consoles - all at a remarkable price - the PRO2 is set to change the Indonesian pro audio market."

"It’s an honour for me to help Thomsen and his team launch PRO2 to the Indonesian market," says Cooper. "The response has been phenomenal and all is set for PRO2 to become the best selling digital console in Indonesia. Thomsen and the guys have worked extremely hard building the foundations for Midas Digital over the last few years and they deserve all the success that PRO2 is going to give them."

A Midas distributor since 2008, PT Gracia Auvindo has supplied numerous PRO Series systems throughout the country, with clients including GBI Rock Surabaya, University of Bunda Mulia, Happy Sound Rental Company and JW Marriott, Bali.

In picture: David Cooper, Midas Consoles (left) with Thomsen Phan, PT Gracia Auvindo.

www.midasconsoles.com

 

9th December 2011

Tribal Staging Arrives in Australia

Following the recent appointment of John Reid as general manager, ESS Australia is rebranding the staging component of its business to Tribal Staging.

With over 13 years experience worldwide and boasting a client list that includes leading players in the music and entertainment industry, Tribal Staging will continue to be Australia’s premier supplier of outdoor stages, PA towers, screen supports, FOH towers, signage towers and decking systems to the music and entertainment industry.

Providing safe stages is Tribal Staging’s priority and every structure with no discrimination on size or height has a design certification and site sign-off by an independent certified structural engineer and certified to Australian standards. With regular scheduling of maintenance conducted, Tribal Staging consistently supplies structures that are tested and all structures are rated to a wind speed of 90 km/hr when sheeted and 140 km/hr when de-rigged.

Tribal Staging delivers services Australia-wide and internationally through local ‘Tribes’ who are experienced operators, equipped with local knowledge and Tribal’s unrivalled products and training. Tribal Staging crew is experienced, qualified and reliable, and work diligently to deliver great experiences to every customer, every time.

Over the years a ‘rock solid’ reputation has been earned through shows for Lady Gaga, Michael Buble and the Foo Fighters; and leading music festivals Soundwave, Future Music Festival and Parklife.

29th November 2011

HEADLINES

news archive

search stories