Pharos - Leaderboard - May 2024
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Rigging / Staging

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UK - TAIT has announced plans to open a central London base in early 2024 at Tileyard London in the heart of King's Cross. This new office follows the trajectory of TAIT’s extensive growth both in the UK and globally.
TAIT’s current UK locations include super-factories, equipped for heavy entertainment engineering, in Wakefield in West Yorkshire and Haverhill in Suffolk, as well as training and R&D facilities in Hampton.
Born through strategic acquisitions of Stage Technologies, Delstar, Brilliant Stages and Kinesys, TAIT’s UK based team have played a key role in some of the most notable live experiences of the last 45 years, from the flying car in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang to the Royal Opera House to the Rolling Stones; the Olympics to Outernet.
TAIT’s global team across 20 offices, work together to deliver live experiences across concert tourin

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UK - Global investment group CDPQ has acquired a minority stake in Solotech. The goal of this transaction, which represents the largest investment in the company since 2013, is to support Solotech’s acquisition and organic growth strategy to expand its presence in various markets and create more value for its customers.
“With this investment - the largest in the last decade for Solotech - CDPQ will support the company in its next growth stage. Aligned with CDPQ’s priorities, this means not only shifting activities into high gear, but also facilitating the company’s global expansion and promoting its audiovisual and technological know-how,” said Kim Thomassin, executive vice-president and head of Québec at CDPQ.
“CDPQ’s commitment is a gauge of confidence in our business model, and their financial investment will allow us to seize new business
Leeds - Main Banner - Apr24

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Germany - Movecat, specialist in the field of stage automation technology, has announced its change of name to Moveket.
This decision is a direct response to the continuously increasing worldwide demand for stage automation solutions with the highest safety standards in the entertainment sector, says the company. The resulting global expansion of Moveket GmbH has led to increasing trademark challenges, which have been resolved by the change of name.
The suffix ket in the new company name stands for Kinetic Entertainment Technologies.
"The change of name is an important step in our strategic development. It underlines our commitment to first-class products, services and future product innovations that meet the ever-growing demands of our customers," says Peter Streicher, managing director of Moveket GmbH.
“Moveket remains true to its values and will conti

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Germany - The HOF team continues to grow with technology expert Tim Otte joining.
Tim has been working in the field of event technology for many years and has extensive industry, sales and user experience. Many people will recognise him from these activities.
Tim is already very familiar with HOF's portfolio. He joins HOF as sales manager and will work on both national and international accounts.

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USA - The first ever Power Trip music festival was considered epic before it even took place. Six of the world’s best known heavy metal and hard rock bands gathered to play on one stage, and 4Wall, Paradox and Elation had the honour of lighting the event.
Metallica, Guns N' Roses, AC/DC, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Tool (subbing for Ozzy Osbourne) all played at the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio, California, 6-8 October, where up to 80,000 fans gathered each day. Power Trip marked the first concert in seven years from AC/DC.
Some 80 Proteus Maximus, 18 Proteus Excalibur, 84 DTW Blinder 700 IP and 80 DTW Blinder 350 IP luminaires from Elation, were all used by the lighting design team at Paradox Production and Design and 4Wall Entertainment, led by 4Wall account executive and production manager Dallas Gaspar. 4Wall also supplied additional lighting packages for the I

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UK - MCS Rental Software, provider of rental management solutions, has announced the launch of a new, innovative feature that will ‘revolutionise the way customers pick equipment to hire’.
The new feature introduces checklists to the picking process, as part of the pre-delivery inspections (PDIs), allowing users to perform comprehensive equipment assessments. This feature includes the ability to add specific notes for the picker(s), prioritise certain tasks for faster processing, and the creation of custom checklists. The checklists are versatile, supporting tick boxes, drop-down lists, as well as photos.
Nick Thomson, sales director at MCS Rental Software, explains, "We're excited to introduce our ground-breaking pre-delivery inspection feature. It's all about elevating efficiency and empowering our users to enhance their operational processes. With specific not

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USA - With fellow General Device Type Format (GDTF) and My Virtual Rig (MVR) founders MA Lighting and Robe Lighting, global design and BIM software provider Vectorworks has announced that DIN SPEC 15801 officially recognises MVR as an open standard for the entertainment industry worldwide.
"The accomplishment of DIN SPEC 15801 marks a significant milestone in the continuous evolution of GDTF and MVR, as well as the overall advancement of the entertainment industry," said Vectorworks CEO Dr. Biplab Sarkar. "Since its inception, MVR has made remarkable progress in meeting the needs of manufacturers and designers through a standardized approach to data and 3D model exchange. This latest recognition further proves our unwavering commitment to unifying the entertainment industry and equipping professionals with the necessary tools for success."
Developed to facilitate inte

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Denmark - Motor Stage Automation (MSA) is a company that loves challenges. So Christian Vigsø and his team were delighted to be asked to design a bespoke flying runway solution for a recent massive show by popular Danish hip hop phenom Suspekt, for their only live appearance this year - at Parken stadium in Copenhagen.
In the process, MSA devised a new modular quick assembly touring product - M:CAT - which is now available exclusively from MSA, a fresh and innovative Danish enterprise working internationally and specialising in the art of designing and delivering stage and show automation and movement elements.
Christian was initially approached by Suspekt’s lighting designer and set designer Johnny Thinggaard and their production manager and show director Jonas Friis, who wanted a flying 45m walkway to enable the band to traverse between the Main and B stages thro

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Europe - HOF will reduce the prices for standard truss by up to 15% as of 1 November 2023. This affects the truss systems HOFKON and HOFFORK (with the exception of the MLT series). The prices of the HOFKON 290-4 series in black will also be reduced by up to 15%.
This price reduction is a reaction to the current easing on the procurement market for raw aluminium. Both the HOFKON 290-4 series and the HOFKON 290-4 Black series are currently available from stock.
Dennis Klostermann, Co-CEO at HOF, says: "The last few years have been challenging for all of us in the industry due to the pandemic and the associated supply chain issues. We are very pleased that the current market situation allows us to pass on the more favourable procurement prices for raw material to our partners. We look forward to a continued successful collaboration."

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USA - Mary Lou Figley is retiring from Stageco US at the end of this year. Mary Lou has successfully led Stageco US for over 31 years. During her 31+ years of service with the company, Mary Lou was instrumental in the success and establishment of Stageco US in Colorado Springs, Colorado and the satellite office in Manheim, Pennsylvania.
“It was essential for Mary Lou to find a replacement whom she felt could take over the reins and help grow the US marketplace,” says Stageco. “During that search, the leadership team and Mary Lou selected Micah Catterson.
Micah is an experienced executive leader focused on revenue growth, operational performance, and delivery excellence on a global scale. Micah will provide strategic leadership for Stageco US by working with the executive leadership team to establish long- range goals, strategies, and growth plans.
“Stag

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USA - PRG (Production Resource Group) has appointed Ariane Coldiron as senior vice president, corporate events. Coldiron will head the corporate events division, reporting directly to PRG CEO Stephan Paridaen.
Coldiron was most recently SVP, brand experience at Freeman where she worked for nearly a decade. As SVP, she drove the company’s highly successful agency business, developing and implementing go-to-market and long-term strategies while managing a large and complex portfolio of accounts including industry giants like Google, SalesForce, Sage, and HP. She also held tenures at experiential agencies Jack Morton, InVision Communications, and TBA Global Events.
“Ariane’s extensive industry experience has uniquely equipped her for success in this key role,” said Paridaen. “She is a well-known and much-respected figure in the corporate events space, with lon

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USA - Offering increased thickness and weight capacities, ADJ has upgraded the selection of safety cables available as part of its Accu-Cable range. With a focus on strength, reliability, and value, the new safety cables are designed to offer ‘complete peace of mind for all professional lighting and production applications’. The TÜV approved range features three different weigh loading options, which all share the same robust and practical design.
Safety cables are an essential component of any entertainment technology installation, which ensure protection for equipment and personnel. They are used to add an extra layer of security when equipment - such as lighting fixtures, atmospheric generators, and speakers - are rigged at height. A safety cable will ensure that a piece of equipment will not fall to the ground - causing damage and potentially injury - should its pri

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South Africa - CS Productionz, a company that specialises in conferences, corporate productions and exclusive events, has expanded its equipment inventory to accommodate its busy schedule.
With offices in both Durban and Johannesburg, the company recently made an investment in Prolyte StageDex and a Beavis II 32A 3-Phase Distro from DWR Distribution.
Clyde Shunmugam initially founded the technical supply company back in 2009 in Durban, and the opportunity to continuously meet new people and to learn from other industry professionals to fine tune his own service, has kept him passionate. He playfully hints that the delectable cuisine offered at every event is undeniably an added perk!
The company’s initial purchase from DWR included Prolyte totem truss pieces and Clyde is delighted to now expand his offerings with the addition of 10 black coated StageDex (2m x

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Australia - The SRS Group and Showtools International have announced their mutual partnership has been extended to grant Showtools International exclusivity to distribute all SRS Group brands including the SRS Rigging range of products for Australia.
"Having established the SRS Power and SRS Lighting brands as reliable and affordable products for the Australian market over the last two years, it was a logical step to include SRS Rigging so we are able to distribute and promote the entire SRS Group portfolio from under one banner," comments Showtools International managing director Robert Runko.
"SRS Group make great products that are industry-focused and deliver performance far superior to other products on the market, they are designed with a high degree of understanding and innovation, built tough to handle the rigors of life on the road and backed up by an amazing w

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Spain - ETC distributor Stonex selected ETC stage machinery and lighting to complete the Lekuona Fabrika Cultural Centre in northern Spain. Prodigy P2 hoists, QuickTouch+ controls as well as ETC luminaires were selected for the project.
Based in Errenteria near the north coast of Spain, the Lekuona Fabrika is a multifunctional cultural venue which frequently hosts exhibitions, festivals, productions and more. The venue is a 613m² open-plan flexible space that can be divided into three rooms offering up to six different configurations using movable walls and retractable seating bleachers.
Due to coastal laws the Lekuona Fabrika has a height restriction as it is located next to the river. In addition to this, its technical director and creator of the project Javier Cruz explains: "There is also the issue that we lose even more height because of the movable walls that cl

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Europe - Showgear, an all-round supplier of stage essentials, expendables and accessories, has introduced its biodegradable confetti, ‘transforming celebrations into eco-conscious experiences’.
In a world where sustainability is paramount, Showgear’s new biodegradable confetti allows revellers to celebrate with a clear conscience and to elevate their events while minimising their environmental footprint.
The new biodegradable confetti proudly carries the respected TÜV OK-biodegradable SOIL certification, assuring users that it will completely decompose in the soil, leaving no lasting environmental impact. In addition, the confetti is flame retardant and meets the stringent DIN4102-1 Class B1 safety standards, ensuring that celebrations are both stunning and safe.
Made from top-quality tissue paper, Showgear’s biodegradable confetti blends contemporary

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Europe - The new ByB Boost your Booth System from HOF is designed for exhibition booth construction, showrooms as well as stores or shops with high demands on appearance and flexibility.
The assembly of the ByB Boost your Booth System is ‘very easy and fast and can be done by two people’.
Lighting technology and other equipment such as screens or advertising banners can be positioned flexibly and precisely.
The ByB Boost your Booth system offers space-saving transportation. An exhibition booth of 5x5m, for example, can be easily transported in an estate car.
The square pipes are hollow and can be used to run cables invisibly through the pipes. The head has a rear cable exit. Catalogues or a laptop can be placed on a storage table and cables required can also be run invisibly through the hollow square pipes from the storage table.
The grid system

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The Netherlands - Cisco Live 2023 took place in the Amsterdam RAI from earlier this year. Thearent, a company that specialises in the rental and sale of materials for professional purposes, transformed an area of the RAI for the event using Wentex Se Frame Modules.
Cisco Live is an event for IT professionals that focuses on education and training. With various topics being covered over the course of five days, it was necessary to have a number of different areas available for participants. Using a total of 5500 Wentex Set Frame Modules, Thearent transformed a single, large area of the RAI into several smaller spaces.
With different sessions taking place simultaneously, Wentex Acoustic Panels were also used for effective sound isolation. Highlite International is an official distributor of Wentex products and the SET Frame Modules come in different sizes. They can be

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UK - In step with the welcome return of the British summer, PLASA Show made a triumphant return to the Grand Hall of Olympia London from 3-5 September, spanning a third more floor space with a striking 28% increase in visitors.
Lee House, operations director for Ambersphere Solutions, says: “I was struck by a sense of nostalgia and excitement - PLASA Show has made a triumphant return! The hall was bustling with a diverse array of exhibitors and, most importantly, visitors who were eager to engage in meaningful conversations about their technological needs for the present and future. It was a jam-packed, unforgettable three days that left us eagerly anticipating what next year will bring."
Tom Mowat, hire account manager for Encore, concurs: “PLASA Show 2023 was absolutely incredible. It was fantastic to see the whole of the hall used by exhibitors. The attendance a

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Europe - HOF has introduced the Monobloq rigging system where all the user needs is a single fix cable plus Monobloq to create the hanging point. The patented system allows a cable adjustment in seconds and the installation of up to eight bridles per hour with two technicians.
With the Monobloq system, less cable stock is needed, and cable adjustments can be done in seconds. HOF offers two different Monobloq bodies: one for 8mm steel ropes and one for and 10 mm steel ropes. To operate with each of these diameters, the corresponding pressure wedge must be used. In both cases the installation is done in the same way.

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USA - Cody James created the lighting and production design for Yellowcard’s current Ocean Avenue 20th Anniversary Tour.
“This design was built on two main ideas,” said James. “I wanted to have no blank space, but at the same time I didn’t want the stage to feel cluttered. Also, I wanted the whole thing to have an almost organic feel, something that felt natural and didn’t take away from the band playing their first shows in seven years.”
Anyone who sees the famed punk rockers on their current tour, which includes stops at Petco Park, Denver’s Levitt Pavilion, and the YouTube Theatre in LA, will readily agree that James has accomplished his ambitious goal in flying colours. His design fills the stage with bold, electrifying looks from three large video walls and a collection of intensely bright lighting fixtures rigged in irregular patterns at di

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UK - Howard Eaton was the proud recipient of the 2023 Gottelier Award. Nominated and voted for by his industry peers, Howard collected the award from PLASA MD, Peter Heath and chair, Adam Blaxhill at a special ceremony at this year’s PLASA Show.
Named in memory of Tony Gottelier, the renowned industry innovator and commentator, the award recognises individuals or teams of people who have made long-term contributions to the advancement of entertainment, presentation or installation technology.
Howard, of Howard Eaton Lighting Ltd (HELL), is a serial problem solver well-known for his bespoke solutions which have brought magic to countless theatrical productions around the world. From Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’s flying car, to the crashing chandelier in the Phantom of the Opera; from the flying Olympic rings at London 2012, to advances in wireless dimming

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Saudi Arabia - Fully established as a legal entity in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, global crewing specialist Showforce, a division of the Spendlove Group, has announced ambitious plans for expansion in the country. The company has opened an office in Riyadh with business development manager Zachariah Smith relocating to spearhead the operation.
Initially accompanied by experienced members of the Middle East operations team, Smith will lead the charge in bolstering local crew numbers, growing its talent pool and securing new clients.
The office will deal with all enquiries and bookings along with recruitment, training and accreditation to ensure that the impressive standards of service that Showforce is globally renowned for are maintained.
Showforce’s chairman and founder Ian Spendlove comments: “KSA presents us with an exciting opportunity for growth. The

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UK - The winners of this year’s PLASA Awards for Innovation were announced last night at PLASA Show at Olympia London. The awards, run in association with LSi magazine, are respected industry-wide for celebrating future-focussed technology that improves safety, efficiency and performance through new methods and materials.
40 products were entered this year, with the judges ultimately awarding eight products, including one highly coveted Gold Award. This year’s judging team comprised 12 independent technical specialists from a wide array of backgrounds, chaired once again by chartered engineer and LSi columnist, James Eade.
The winning products and judges’ comments are listed below:
Astera, PlutoFresnel: The judges said that the versatility of this battery powered Fresnel-come-profile is unmatched and it will

  1. Le Mark Group celebrates 40th anniversary
  2. TSL Lighting invests in more rigging gear
  3. ESTA announces Volunteer of the Year Awards
  4. PLASA Show returns to showcase the future of 'live'
  5. Baltic Production Service to distribute HOF in Lithuania
  6. Unusual supports giant Fringe inflatable
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