Solotech has maintained an active presence in Las Vegas since 2003. "We worked on the opening of some of Las Vegas's major showroom projects such as the Colosseum at Caesars Palace and the KÀ,/i> theatre at MGM Grand," says Pierre Leduc, vice president and general manager of Solotech US Corp. "With this new facility, we'll continue to support the region's installation projects, including the Elvis showroom in City Centre and the Kodak Theatre in LA, offer local rental services, and have a storefront to meet the supply needs of local AV professionals."
The opening of the new Las Vegas location has also put the company in close proximity to the West Coast touring market, which has constituted a major portion of Solotech's growth. "The idea with the Las Vegas expansion is that we can create any production virtually - wherever you are, we can make something for you," says Richard Lachance, Solotech's vice president of development. "Within five years, Las Vegas will be bigger than Montreal, so we're laying the foundations for that forecast.
"We don't see ourselves as a typical touring company or audio visual provider per se," continues Lachance. "We tend to think and operate as a full-service provider of multiple media technologies. For a production to be successful, it's critical that the show's entire technical infrastructure be designed and supported with the same degree of integration."
Solotech has achieved an impressive annual growth rate of 25% in the past three years, and equipment predictability and reliability are vital in each of its projects, which often involve original designs that are both complex and creative. "We do a lot of Cirque shows, which have a life expectancy of a minimum of 5,000 performances, as opposed to a typical tour with 100-150," says Lachance. "When you build these shows, they are for the long term, so we require maximum reliability and quality for the large number of performances. This is why we spec Meyer."
Solotech's large Meyer Sound inventory includes more than 30 different models that range from the M'elodie line array loudspeaker to the SB-1 sound beam currently on tour with Andre Rieu. "The exceptional quality of the products, the great support we are getting from Meyer, and the close relationship we have had with the company has been a key factor in our success," says Leduc.
Solotech's new Las Vegas facility is headed by Pierre Leduc; Robert Brassard, director of operations; and Louis Boutin, director of finance and administration. The Las Vegas management team works closely with Dean Roney, vice president of business development in the touring sector.
(Jim Evans)
