business news

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

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

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

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

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

High End Systems Announces New Distribution Partner in Australia

High End Systems has announced the appointment of newly created Lexair Entertainment as its Australian distribution partner.

Lexair Entertainment founder Alex Mair says: "High End Systems is one of the true innovators in our industry, delivering high quality products that deserve the best support services available. Lexair Entertainment will provide Australian based sales, support, service and training for High End Systems’ full range of Wholehog lighting consoles, automated and digital lighting products."

"We are excited to have Lexair Entertainment as a partner," said Betsy Childers, customer service manager of High End Systems. "Alex’s long relationship with High End Systems goes back many years and his company will provide customers with great sales and service locally in Australia. This partnership strengthens our commitment to customer service and excellence."

Mair brings his extensive industry knowledge and experience to Lexair Entertainment after previously working with Jands for over 10 years.

17th November 2011

RMS Introduces RMSAnywhere, online Planning Software for Rental Companies

RMS has introduced RMSAnywhere, a new online planning software system for rental companies. RMSAnywhere allows for easy, safe access over the internet to all data needed for planning and calculating equipment, crew and transports.

With the introduction of RMSAnywhere RMS fulfills the wish of many customers to get a full insight in the state of their company at any moment, from any location. This not only gives peace of mind, but also allows for taking the right decisions at the right moment.

Users can start easily with RMSAnywhere, without any investments. RMSAnywhere supports

Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Firefox and Safari. This also allows Mac-users to use the software without any problems.

RMSAnywhere basic is available for a fixed monthly fee, which includes support, updates and safe hosting.

www.rmsanywhere.com

14th November 2011

Iconic Klark Teknik Brand Targets New Markets

Klark Teknik has announced a major new investment in people, brand and research and development. The rebirth of Klark Teknik, enabled by parent corporation the Music Group, will see KT recruiting key personnel in marketing, research and development, as well as customer support and manufacturing.

The classic brand has ambitious plans to enter new market sectors with a raft of new high-quality products, including high-performance, feature-enhanced amplifiers and loudspeakers, specialist audio mixers and studio monitors, professional DJ mixers, USB and FireWire audio interfaces, as well as further developing and expanding its core expertise in signal processing and digital audio networking.

“For some time, Klark Teknik has existed in the shadow of the Midas brand,” says MKT’s VP of customer support, Jonathan Chitty. “The time has come to put the brand on the same level footing as Midas with a large range of innovate and exciting new products. The future for Klark Teknik is looking extremely bright and will re-energise everyone’s perception of the brand. A key component will be the recruitment of a dedicated KT Brand Manager, and talented design engineers in the UK. We are right now actively seeking the right people.”

 

7th November 2011

Apex Audio Announces GT Pacific as New Distributor

Belgium manufacturer Apex Audio has announced GT Pacific as its new exclusive distributor for Australia. The appointment secures first class distribution for Apex in the region and continues GT Pacific’s tradition of providing high quality audio products for discerning audio professionals.

"The Apex Audio product range brings a plethora of solutions suitable for the highest levels of commercial installations, broadcast, and touring," says GT Pacific’s marketing director Anthony Touma. "With innovative solutions including cutting edge speaker management systems, hardware gates, limiters and equalisers, as well as exceptionally high quality active direct input units, the Apex Audio brand is destined to enjoy widespread success in Australia."

The decision for GT Pacific to acquire the distribution for Apex Audio came from a thorough analysis of the national marketplace and its current expectations.

"Many products provided in the Australian market lack the combination of sonic purity, practicality, reliability and a competitive price point," he continues. "Seeing the high demand for no compromise outboard solutions that could be used seamlessly in both commercial and live environments, Apex Audio quickly surfaced as the ideal brand. The choice was further cemented by its long-time pedigree and firmly established following in the thriving European market.

"With Apex Audio now on board, GT Pacific is armed with an even more complete range of products to assist consultants and production companies with a wider array of application specific solutions end to end.

"Initial feedback has been extremely positive and GT Pacific is very excited to see Apex Audio rollout across venues, broadcasting stations, stadiums and music festivals over the coming Summer."

"This is a very important market for Apex," adds Jeroen Sierjacobs, Apex marketing manager. "The addition of the Intelli-X2 range means that we have a great deal to offer and securing such high quality distribution means that engineers in Australia can take full advantage of our new lines."

20th October 2011

First Light for Alderamin Group

Alderamin Group, the international lighting projects specialist, made a stylish and successful industry debut at PLASA 2011. The centrally located stand — with its minimalist white space and dramatic LED overhead feature — proved irresistible to many, significantly raising the Group’s profile and generating considerable sales activity.

Comprised of industry veterans Artistic Licence Engineering, Artistic Licence Integration and Ptarmigan Integration, along with the newly formed technical sales company Ten Thousand Things, Alderamin Group achieves a synergy that was very much in evidence at the show.

Alderamin Group co-owners, Wayne Howell and Simon Fraser, explain: "Artistic Licence Engineering is our technical powerhouse, developing profitable standalone products, but also serving the project needs of the Group’s Integration companies," says Howell.

Fraser continues: "Ten Thousand Things also feeds into our projects sector, supplying the everyday items needed on site. It also has a strong individual role, acting as regional distributor in Hong Kong and Macau for Green Hippo and City Theatrical. PLASA provided us with an ideal forum in which to strengthen these links and explore new opportunities."

On the products side, most obvious to the casual onlooker at the show was the stand’s 3D central LED feature, a spectacular arrangement of Artistic Licence Engineering’s new Multichrome Tube linear fixture. Behind the scenes, the complex programming and visualization was driven by Colour-Tramp, the company’s powerful and recently upgraded controller.

"Colour-Tramp is an example of a product that has evolved massively through project interaction," explains Howell. "It now supports Art-Net 3, the hot-off-the-press version of our free Ethernet protocol that can handle over 32,000 Universes."

Simon Fraser takes up the thread: "To put this into perspective, we have recently completed a 250 Universe installation in Asia. That is already at - or beyond - the limit of many of the Ethernet protocols in common use today. Data demands are soaring, and we have to stay ahead of the game."

Demonstrating its forward-thinking credentials, the Group also used PLASA 2011 to showcase two particularly ingenious new products. Art-Convert is an iPhone app designed to aid site engineers with tricky decimal-hex channel conversions. And Multi-Play, the new lighting show record-playback unit from Artistic Licence Engineering, offers remarkable functionality and flexibility with its multiple protocol support.

In picture: the Alderamin stand at PLASA 2011.

26th September 2011

AC-ET Gets Social with its Customers on Facebook and Twitter

A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET) Ltd has launched a new social media initiative to enable the company to network with its customer base - including providing immediate updates on breaking news stories, product launches, training sessions, tradeshow-related activities and open day events.

Customers can now follow AC-ET on the Facebook and Twitter social networks, enabling them to stay in touch via a medium which fits in with their increasingly busy lifestyles, as well as those of tomorrow’s industry newcomers.

Says AC-ET: "We understand that many of our customers 'live and breathe' their industry commitments 24/7, so social media is the perfect platform to hold a dialogue with them as they stay constantly ‘online’ throughout the day for work as well as play."

The new services will further personalise the level of service offered by AC-ET’s specialist product divisions and enable customers to provide valuable feedback on new products and services launched by the company.

The Facebook and Twitter pages will soon be complemented by a new AC-ET YouTube channel, so the company can provide easily accessible video footage of its products and services, including demos and tradeshow activities.

Follow A.C. Entertainment Technologies now via: www.facebook.com/ACEntertainmentTechnologies and www.twitter.com/acenttech / @ACEntTech on Twitter.

26th August 2011

Wenger Corporation Acquires J.R. Clancy

It has been announced that the Wenger Corporation, based in Owatonna, MN has signed an agreement to acquire J.R. Clancy, Inc. based in Syracuse, NY. "This is exciting news for employees and business partners of both companies," says a press statement. It continues: "The Wenger Corporation and J.R. Clancy are long standing privately owned businesses with shared values, dedicated and loyal employees, great brands, strong heritages, and great reputations in the market place."

8th August 2011

Unusual Rigging Launches New Website

Northampton based rigging specialists Unusual Rigging has officially launched its new website. The interactive site provides clients, prospects and potential employees with extensive new features, higher quality content and complete information on services, news and events. The improved navigation, access to content and rich media additions, such as videos of installations, will aid users in making the most informed decisions about their options.

Since its founding in 1983 Unusual Rigging has grown to become one of the largest specialist rigging organisations in the entertainment technology industry, serving projects and clients nationwide. The new website is designed to inform clients and prospects in a straightforward manner, with concise content, SEO-rich text and stunning photography.

Unusual now employs some 80 staff, with a 4.75 acre facility that incorporates the company’s offices, warehouse and manufacturing. Managing Director, Alan Jacobi, comments: "The new website represents Unusual’s commitment to exceptional customer service and performance. It takes you behind the scenes and is a great tool enabling everyone to see the full extent of our strength, size and experience as one of the best rigging companies in the industry."

For the first time, the website provides an opportunity to browse through a selection of the many products available for hire or purchase. Visit www.unusual.co.uk for your first look.

In picture: and aerial shot of the Unusual facility; Unusual Rigging CAD office.

4th August 2011

XL Video Group Holdings Announces New Investor

XL Video Group Holdings has secured major new investment for the XL Group representing 19 million euros, which will ensure that its award winning international video rental operation will stay at the forefront of the fast-moving technological world of live entertainment visuals.

Gimv-XL, an independent European investment company with over 30 years experience in private equity and venture capital projects is listed on Euronext Brussels. It has taken up this opportunity of becoming a new shareholder in the dynamic XL Video Group, which includes XL's global video rental enterprises and also its LED and product design and manufacturing arm, XL Technologies.

Says XL's CEO and co-founder René De Keijzer: "We are all very enthusiastic about the new partnership and the opportunities that Gimv coming onboard will bring. It will allow us to make major investments in new technologies in the immediate future, which will benefit all our clients and end-users. Longer term, it will allow us to strengthen our position in the marketplace and move forward with our medium term expansion strategies in Europe and the US, advancing and growing the XL Group to its next level of development."

Peter Maenhout from Gimv-XL comments: "This is one of those Flemish companies that may not be known to the general public, but in its sector is world famous as one of the biggest names in the world of concerts and events.

"XL Video boasts flexibility, quality and technical expertise. The people and their reputation make the difference. We believe this company has many growth opportunities. With Gimv-XL as a partner XL Video will play a leading role in the developments in its sector."

Founded in 1996, the XL Group is a market leader in live production video rentals covering multiple sectors of the professional entertainment and leisure industries - including concerts and touring, theatre and the arts, conferences, corporate events, presentations and experientials.

XL offers the best technology and logistical expertise to facilitate a wide spectrum of innovative and creative projects. This vast pool of knowledge and talent has helped push the boundaries of imagination in this challenging field, creating new standards of excellence, and building a client list that is second to none. This includes U2, The Kings of Leon, Roger Waters, etc.; car manufacturers such as Daimler-Benz, Audi, Toyota & Nissan; special events like the Papal State Visit to the UK along with high profile sporting fixtures including Moto GP and Formula One - to name but a few.

www.xlvideo.tv

1st August 2011

Alderamin Group Ltd Launches at PLASA 2011

PLASA 2011 will see the announcement of a powerful new presence in the global lighting industry, the multi-faceted Alderamin Group. The organisation is exhibiting on Stand 1-E32.

Specialising in the provision of comprehensive project solutions for the entertainment, leisure, architectural and retail lighting sectors, Alderamin Group comprises four key companies: Ptarmigan Integration, Artistic Licence Integration, Artistic Licence Engineering and Ten Thousand Things.

The Ptarmigan and Artistic Licence brands are already recognised as industry leaders, each with a world-class reputation and many years of experience.

Now, their respective founders, Simon Fraser and Wayne Howell, have joined forces to create Alderamin Group, an organisation that promises to reshape the lighting industry landscape.

“We believe we have a winning formula,” explains Howell. “Ptarmigan and Artistic Licence complement each other fantastically well, as Simon and I have proved working together on various projects over the years. The Group represents a new breed of business entity – one with world-class, broad spectrum expertise and international presence, but swift on its feet, innovative and flexible.”

Fraser continues: “Our new product distribution company, Ten Thousand Things, completes Alderamin Group’s portfolio. We are a collection of like-minded thinkers who actively support public domain protocols and client choice — and we share a belief that installations should reflect their designer’s creative vision, uncompromised by proprietary or outdated technology.”

So how do the cogs interlock to create this well-oiled machine? Ptarmigan has a wealth of experience in projects integration, encompassing lighting, lasers, show control and projection. With offices in Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore, the company provides an ideal strategic presence in this highly active region — not to mention the invaluable socio-cultural insight of its staff on the ground.

In the UK, Artistic Licence Engineering has developed control, lighting and test equipment for over 20 years. The company has a world-class reputation for the quality and reliability of its products, coupled with a unique ability to anticipate and embrace new technologies. In parallel, Artistic Licence Integration caters for the growing projects market, with many high-profile clients in Europe and the Middle East.

Finally, the newly created Ten Thousand Things (a phrase found in Chinese literature referring to the material diversity of the Universe) offers sales and support for a wide range of lighting products. These range from consumable items such as power and data cables to the latest in lighting technology. The company, based in Hong Kong, has its own growing product range and operates three internationally respected franchises — City Theatrical and Green Hippo (which distribute in Hong Kong and Macau) and Artistic Licence Engineering (which distributes more widely across Asia). Ten Thousand Things thus provides the Group with a highly versatile sales arm.

Speaking in his role as Artistic Licence Integration MD, Howell explains the factors driving the decision to create an alliance of companies: “Increasingly, I am spending my time on big budget architectural installations. Having worked on a number of blockbuster projects with Ptarmigan, it’s clear that there is a growing need to define the state-of-the art as we go along! Off-the-shelf technology doesn’t cut it for many of these jobs; custom-build solutions are becoming the norm, and we no longer consider data volumes of several hundred DMX Universes as unusual.”

Fraser concludes: “We realised that the best way to stay ahead of the game was to create a group structure, enabling us to offer our project clients all the necessary expertise in-house. From our experience working on large installations, we also realised that we could greatly improve efficiency by creating our own supplies company. Ten Thousand Things now fulfils that role, although it is, of course, also a strong trading entity in its own right. This is the vision that led to our combined organisation – Alderamin Group.”

 

15th July 2011

HEADLINES

news archive

search stories