ETC (Electronic Theatre Controls Inc) has purchased the German lighting company transtechnik Lichtsysteme from its parent company transtechnik GmbH, Holzkirchen.

With headquarters in Middleton, Wisconsin, and offices worldwide, ETC is fast becoming a global leader in the lighting industry. Over 15,000 venues, including Broadway shows and high-profile clients like Royal Caribbean cruise lines, London’s Royal Opera House, Hanover’s Staatstheater Opernhaus, SAT1 in Berlin and Legoland in Germany, employ ETC lighting products. According to ETC CEO Fred Foster: "We have long had great respect for transtechnik’s reputation and technology in our industry. The two companies share the same dedication to serving customers. The combination of transtechnik Lichtsysteme with ETC will allow us to increase our range of products and services to the German, as well as global, markets."

transtechnik Lichtsysteme will continue to offer its brand-name products and turnkey/project-management services to clients and its operation will continue to be based in Holzkirchen [south of Munich]. Robert Sterff, managing director of transtechnik GmbH, comments: "We are proud of transtechnik Lichtsysteme and proud to join our thirty-year legacy with that of ETC. transtechnik Lichtsysteme will profit from ETC’s outstanding position in the international market and be able to build further on their lighting focus. And transtechnik GmbH, after four years of considerable growth, will now be able to concentrate fully on its own specialty of electronic systems for the transportation industry."

ETC will maintain its current established channels of distribution in Germany: Lightpower will continue as exclusive dealer of the Source Four line whilst Arcus will continue to handle the WYSIWYG lighting-design software line. As part of the overall business agreement, transtechnik GmbH retains its ownership of avab transtechnik France and avab Scandinavia. transtechnik Lichtsysteme will, however, continue its business relationship with these formerly affiliated companies and will proceed in the development, sales and support of the avab control and dimming products.

(Ruth Rossington)


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