Robe - LEADERBOARD - Feb 2025
Doughty - Banner - from 6 June 2025

Rigging / Staging

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Russia - Currently the chain hoists and chain hoist controllers of ChainMaster of Eilenburg in Saxony are in demand all over the world, the company reports, with further successes in Russia underlining the trend: first it was the Kremlin, where 35 BGV-C1 chain hoists in the 500kg weight category, including encoder-driven way measurement equipment and a network controller (all from ChainMaster) were installed at the behest of the Arlecchino Business Center at the beginning of the year; then, one of Russia's largest festivals, at which the well-known events and entertainment service provider Arsenal Music of Tyumen recently gave its new set of ChainMaster hoists their first outing.

(Lee Baldock)

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UK - The Product Excellence Awards at the PLASA Show has been a popular feature of the event for many years, highlighting the significance of the show as a focus for new developments for the industry. To reinforce this role, the PLASA Awards have undergone an important change for the 2004 event (12-15 September), in order to focus on genuine innovation.

For the re-branded PLASA Awards for Innovation, the judges will be looking for products which advance the industry, demonstrate a new style of thinking, represent a key step forward in safety terms, or improve technical practices. There will be eight Awards for Innovation at the judges' disposal and currently over 60 nominations have been received, with just three weeks before the deadline of Friday 3 September. Exhibitors who still wish to nominate a product are urged to submit their applications as soon as possible. Nominees w

Doughty - Banner - from 6 June 2025

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UK - James Thomas will show its comprehensive ranges of trussing, tower and ground support systems - including the new Mini Tower trussing system - and theatrical lanterns. The latter include the legendary aluminium PAR can, cyc lights, spot banks and light battens.

The Mini Tower system is a small ground support tower designed to lift loads of up to 1000 kg to a maximum height of 7.5 metres in a three or four tower configuration; 7.5 metres in a goal post (two tower) configuration. JTE is also showing examples of its large range of standard aluminium trussing, ground support and roofing structures. JTE trussing and aluminium products are in clubs and destination venues of all types, large scale festivals, theatres, concert tours, theme parks, visitor attractions and retail environments. The most popular aluminium products include GP (General purpose) trussing, SuperTruss, Super

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UK - From the refreshingly new surroundings of their booth, Prolyte Products Group will present a mix of new and existing products at the PLASA. A new system of crowd barriers will be presented, both in aluminium and steel versions. Information on these crowd barriers will be available at the stand. A official launch party on Sunday 12 September will be used to introduce a new product to both press and public. More information on the new product that will be launched will be issued shortly.

Further demo sets of Prolyte high quality truss systems, in several ranges and the successful Stage DEX staging system will be shown. Next to that the ProTrac system, a complete system of which will be installed at the Royal Opera House in London this year, will be demonstrated. Prolyte personnel, engineers as well as sales managers, will be at the stand to assist you and to give explanation

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UK - Star Rigging was pivotal in ensuring Wembley arena could play host to four sell-out concerts as part of Madonna's Re-Invention tour. A Madonna concert was always going to be a spectacular production, so when production director Chris Lamb, Madonna and her team planned the 2004 Re-Invention tour, it was no surprise that the result was a complex, physically huge, highly technical production.

Following rehearsals in March and 45 US dates the tour has crossed the 'pond', with promoters Solo selling out 17 European dates in seven venues. Star Rigging's Phil Broad and Steve Armstrong were contracted as tour riggers throughout Europe joining Dano Rowley and Jimmy Vaughn. Phil's role included accommodating the complex rigging into each of the Arena venues.

The production includes 130 rigging points and 160 motors, carrying five moving video screens (the largest of which is seven

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UK - Prolyte Products Group will introduce a complete line of electrical hoists for the entertainment market at this years PLASA show. The Prolyft Performance, a brand new hoist which will be exclusively sold by Prolyte and its distributor network, will receive its worldwide premiere with an official press launch on Sunday 12 September.

Prolyte has built a reputation for high quality products and from this background, Prolyte has decided to use its insight in market demands and product expertise to redefine the concept of rigging. The outcome is a sturdy, road proof line of electrical chain hoists with user-friendly features. The range comes with various options and specifications and in addition there is an assortment of controllers is available.

A worldwide network of service points sells the Prolyft Performance hoist. Apart from a regular stock, the service points can provi

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UK - Following last year's lead, CM is showing more new products - and a new face - at this year's PLASA exhibition. With the company's largest stand to date, the focus will be on the new range of CM Pro-Commander hoist control products specifically aimed at the high end computerized and BGV-C1 hoist market. The range includes a cost-effective BGV-C1 manual controller, all the way to a Mitsubishi Electrics powered variable-speed system capable of running the new Varistar hoist up to speeds in excess of 30m per minute with a 500kg s.w.l. This system also includes full load-monitoring feedback, which will be regularly demonstrated on the stand.

As well as the control products CM is be showing its new range of BGV-C1 approved Lodestars designed especially for computerized control, including the CM Pro-Commander line. A range of other more standard products is also available for ins

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UK - Rigging industry personality John Jones is to launch a new company, LTM - Lift Turn Move, at PLASA 2004: "It's the perfect opportunity - having the whole industry in one place at one time," he says. Based in Birkenhead on the Wirral Peninsula - at the centre of the current Merseyside regeneration strategy - LTM is a new, independently owned company which will specialize in the sale of Lodestar Motors and other rigging accessories for the professional leisure and entertainment industries.

Jones is joined by co-director David King, and the LTM team is further boosted by Dawn Gerrard, Paul Hadfield and Dave Ward - all skilled and knowledgeable in the world of rigging and show presentation, and all previous colleagues at PCM. The tightly focused operation will concentrate on making life simple and cost-effective for the client.

(Sarah Rushton-Read)

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UK - It's business as usual at PCM, the Wirral-based flying and rigging sales specialists, despite the company's last minute decision against participating at PLASA - due to the current restructuring.

Paul Kelly has now assumed the role of MD, following the recent departure of John Jones. Kelly has been with the company for 12 years and has been general manger since 1997. Everything else carries on as normal - the sales office is still active and operational, headed by Kelly and Tracy Hall. PCM carries a full range of Lodestar motors, extensive spares, motor controllers and accessories.

Kelly comments: "It's a very exciting time for PCM right now. However the timing of all the recent changes, the increased administration plus a very full order book to deal with meant something had to give. After much deliberation, we decided not do PLASA this year, and instead focus all e

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UK - Chris Cronin of Total Fabrications Ltd has announced the formation of Total Solutions Group, established to manage a suite of well-known brands associated with trussing in the entertainment industry.

Sitting under the umbrella of the Group will be the brands Total Fabrications, Slick (one of the oldest truss manufacturers in the industry, purchased by Total Fabrications in 2003), T2 (the Award-winning, high-specification safety truss), Total Training (the new rigging training initiative set up by the company) and New Wave (the decorative trussing brand which has won numerous awards). New Wave is marketed by TSG for its US-based sister company Total Structures, which remains separate from the new TSG structure.

Some of the Group's brand names - Total Fabrications, T2 and Slick - are available for manufacture under license in other countries around the world, through technology tr

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UK - The 2004 PLASA show will see the worldwide launch of the new InMotion 3D/CyberHoist motion control system by Holland's XLNT Advanced Technologies. The complete system offers a stunning combination of precision movement and user-friendly 3D object-oriented programming and is the most advanced motion control system available for the entertainment industry, say the company.

The system was first seen at the EBU Eurovision Song Contest 2004 and is now on its début world tour with Phil Collins (currently in the USA) through PRG Lighting. Full live demonstrations of the system will be running throughout the show in the Warwick Hall at Earls Court 1, in association with Vertigo Rigging. The system has its worldwide Press Premiere on Sunday September 12 at 2pm in the Warwick Room (access via the lift at the back of the Warwick Road entrance foyer).

XLNT Advanced Technologies, bas

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UK - Out Board has launched the all-new DM Series of chain hoist rigging motor controllers, configured in 4- and 8-channel versions to manage Direct Control hoists such as Verlinde, Chainmaster and the new Columbus McKinnon direct control hoists.

As with the company's established CM-Series Low Voltage controllers, the DM4 and DM8 are each packaged in rugged, compact (3U) rackmount chassis, ideal for touring, theatre, corporate, festival or installation applications. Like the CM-Series, both controllers are automation-ready for integration with intelligent rigging control systems such as the IBEXtm Programmable Hoist Controller.

Direction control is available via front panel switches or by optional remote handset, plus remote and linkable GO and E-stop functions. The DM4 four-channel unit has Cee-type output connectors and the DM8 has Socapex-type connectors; truss-mounting spl

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UK - The much-vaunted InMotion 3D / CyberHoist motion control system was unveiled at PLASA at the start of four days of demonstrations in the Warwick Hall at Earls Court. The complete system offers a unique combination of precision movement and user-friendly programming and its creators, Holland's XLNT Advanced Technologies, claims it is the most advanced motion control system available for the entertainment industry. It was first seen at the EBU Eurovision Song Contest 2004 and is now on its début world tour with Phil Collins in the USA through PRG Europe.

A complete InMotion 3D / CyberHoist system consists of InMotion 3D object-oriented software, an unlimited number of 1/2-tonne Verlinde CyberHoist motors, an Ethernet network (DataMotion), a dedicated power distribution system (PowerMotion) and the human element - a programmer/operator.

It is designed specifically for mov

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The DGS Counterweight Drive System has been designed using the latest steel band technology to simplify the arduous process of operating counterweight systems in the entertainment industry. Faster fit-up times, significant reductions in running costs and a greatly improved safety and operational capability are among the benefits offered by Hall Stage, in conjunction with ASM Steuerungstechnik GmbH, for the movement and control of scenery and stage equipment. The system won the ABTT's Rigging & Engineering Product of the Year award in the summer, and has added to its haul with a PLASA Award.

Loading and unloading cradles is an inherently dangerous process: DGS reduces the potential for conflicts with safe working practices legislation and future health issues as well as future claims for injury and long-term back problems - by doing away with the manual aspects of the process.

Operat

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Described by the judges as 'a leap forward in chain hoist control with an elegant solution in control and planning aspects of the production process', the much-vaunted InMotion 3D / CyberHoist motion control system was unveiled at PLASA at the start of four days of on-site demonstrations. The system offers a combination of precision movement and user-friendly programming and its creators, Dutch company XLNT Advanced Technologies, claims it is the most advanced motion control system available for the entertainment industry.

It was first seen at this year's Eurovision Song Contest (L&SI June 2004) and is now on its début world tour with Phil Collins (L&SI August 2004) via PRG Europe. A complete system consists of InMotion 3D object-oriented software, an unlimited number of half-tonne Verlinde CyberHoist motors, an Ethernet network (DataMotion), a dedicated power distribution system (Pow

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UK - PLASA 2004 opened its doors on Sunday 12th September to enthusiastic crowds, with a full show, hundreds of exciting products and a real buzz across the show floor. Both visitors and exhibitors are commenting that the excitement is back and the industry future looks bright.

The Product Excellence Awards at the PLASA show have been a popular feature of the event for many years, highlighting the significance of the show as a focus for new developments for the industry. To reinforce this role, the awards have undergone an important change for 2004 with the focus being much more on genuine innovation and have been relaunched as the PLASA Awards for Innovation. The previous assessment criteria, which segmented the nominations into sectors, has been removed so that products were not judged within category lines, but on the grounds of their innovation alone. The judges looked for

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UK - Dutch manufacturer Prolyte has just completed one of its busiest PLASA shows ever, where it launched its latest product, the Prolyft hoist. The launch of a new product always brings a feeling of nervous anticipation but, the company reports, it can now look back on the PLASA Show as being a successful introduction for the new hoist.

Not only did Prolyte add six new Prolyft Service points to its existing network of 10, but the company says it received many positive reactions on the new hoist and the whole service program. In addition to the Prolyft hoist, the Soft steel was greeted with enthusiasm by many technicians, who could see the advantage of not having to attach a secondary steel if normal round slings are used.

Contributing to an already bustling stand was the presentation of the Crowd Barrier demo. This aluminium, lightweight crowd control barrier also received

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UK - After the successful launch of the DGS Counterwright Drive system at the ABTT trade show in June, where it won the ABTT Rigging & Engineering Product of the Year award, Hall Stage has repeated the feat at PLASA 2004 in London this month, winning a prestigious Innovation award to complete the clean sweep. In the opinion of the judges - "it is coming to a theatre near you".

The DGS is the first genuine counterweight drive hoist that means an end to counterweight loading, with all of its inherent Health & Safety, cost and time implications. Awards judge Andy Hayles, from theatre consultancy Charcoalblue, hails the system as "head and shoulders above the competition in terms of innovation and a huge step forward in improving the lives of flymen everywhere."

Easily retro-fitted directly onto an existing counterweight frame in under five hours per line, DG

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UK - UK - Star Rigging provided all rigging services at the Asda Tickled Pink Girls Night In Breast Cancer Care fund-raising concert at the Royal Albert Hall, recently, and cooperated with Netherlands-based Flashlight Rental for the sophisticated CyberHoist / InMotion 3D motion control system, to enable the movement of the screens as an essential set element of the show.

Geri Halliwell, patron of Breast Cancer Care, hosted and performed in the concert, televised on Channel Five, which featured sets by artists including Jools Holland with Tom Jones, Ronan Keating, Natasha Bedingfield, Lemar, Rachel Stevens and comics Alastair MacGowan and Nina Conti.

Production manager Phil Christensen assembled a trusted team of professional suppliers that incorporated Star Rigging's Phil Broad drawing up the rigging plans to fly eight XL Video screens, Canegreen's PA and the set. Flash

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UK - ChainMaster, the internationally renowned manufacturer of chain hoists and chain hoist controllers for stage and show applications, has reinforced its Russian team with the recruitment of Viacheslav Serdyukov, a communications engineer, to handle the support for ChainMaster equipment in Russia.

Viacheslav Serdyukov joins ChainMaster from the Russian company Pro Sound Lab, where he has been working since 1994 as a sound contractor and system integrator on a variety of projects including the modernization of the stage equipment in the Kremlin. For ChainMaster, Viacheslav Serdyukov's responsibilities will include product and project guidance as well as after sales service in Russia.

(Sarah Rushton-Read)

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UK - 96 cyclists, competing as sixteen professional teams, battled it out over a total of 800 gruelling kilometres to be the first under the Tour of Britain finish gantry, which had been designed and built by LiteStructures.

The internationally renowned event was set over five stages, starting in Manchester - the home of British cycling - on 1 September. The transient nature of the event meant that the gantry had to be lightweight for easy transportation, free standing so that it left no trace once removed and of an adjustable width because the finishing line was a different width for each stage.

With the gantry having been so well received on the Tour, Mick Bennett, technical director at the Tour of Britain and also show director of Cycle, The International Cycle Show, chose to use it again as the gateway to the show when it runs from the 23 to 26 September. He said: &

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UK - The popularity and reputation of The Wells Summer School, where dancers from The Royal Ballet instruct children from 8 to 17 years, has expanded and this year embraced three major dance areas - all converted to professional dance floor standards courtesy of British Harlequin plc.

Francesca Filpi has been organizing The Wells Summer School for three years now, based at the Beechwood Sacred Heart School in Tunbridge Wells, Kent and held this year over a period of ten days in August. Here a relationship has been forged between The Wells teaching faculty from The Royal Ballet and Harlequin providing roll out dance floor solutions. In the main hall of the school, Harlequin covered the hard parquet wood floor with Harlequin Studio flooring, which was also the choice to cover the wooden flooring in a large marquee erected in the school grounds. The solution for the Auditorium wood

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UK - Drapes and rigging specialist Blackout was recently appointed by MTV Networks Europe to realize an elaborate Gothic set at the recent MTV Icon event. This was an exclusive live tribute to rock legends The Cure, staged at Old Billingsgate in London.

Featuring performances and testimonials from artists and celebrities influenced by the band - including Marilyn Manson, Razorlight Blink 182, AFI and the Deftones the event will be beamed across MTV Europe's Networks of 120 million homes from October 2004.

Blackout's project manager, Kevin Monks, headed the team and collaborated closely with the MTV Networks Europe production management team. Blackout rose to the challenge of designing and supplying a trussing structure in line with the building restrictions imposed by Old Billingsgate's Grade II listed status.

The atmospheric Gothic set designed by Simon Beresford required o

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Sweden / Norway - Visual act, the Swedish stage automation specialist, has recently completed the installation of a new control system for the Norwegian Theatre in Oslo, involving the replacement of drive electronics for 119 fly bars and point hoists. The system installed is capable of operating all the drives simultaneously, as was ably demonstrated during the testing period, when the company's technicians made the most of the empty stage by programming continuous movements and effects involving all 119 drives.

The latest version of Visual act's operator desk was selected as it is especially designed for permanent installations, providing an ergonomic work area suitable for many hours of use on an everyday basis. Three operator desks were installed - one of which is wireless and can be moved to the house for rehearsals.

The control system has fully redundant servers and po

  1. Orbital expands BTR System's potential
  2. Stage Technologies in Hong Kong
  3. Austrian Truss Construction
  4. Total Solutions Group
  5. PLASA Shorts . . .
  6. Columbus McKinnon Entertainment
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