Gareth Busson appointed UK Marketing and Communications Director Leave a reply Birmingham, UK – March 13, 2023: Christine Latour, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer (CMCO) and Bryce Jewell, Managing Director of UK & Europe, are proud to announce the appointment of Gareth Busson as UK Marketing and Communications Director, effective March 13, 2023. A seasoned marketing and business development leader, Gareth brings nearly 25 years of experience in brand management, digital marketing, campaign development, and strategy implementation, having worked for both B2B and B2C companies in the UK and internationally. He possesses a track record of devising and then delivering effective, relevant, and profitable strategies for new start-ups as well as major brands such as Vax, Yale and Solidor. Gareth has an MSc in Strategic Marketing, holds Chartered Marketer status, and has studied post grad at Harvard Business School. “We are happy to have Gareth join our Global Marketing Team and look forward to growing the Solotech brand in the UK, thanks to his expertise and creative mindset”, says Christine Latour, CMCO. Bryce Jewell ads: “Gareth will be a great addition to our UK leadership team and will certainly help us build a strong go-to-market for the months and years to come”. Gareth will be based in our new Birmingham headquarters but will actively support and ensure presence in our various UK offices, working with the existing marketing and communications team. “Joining Solotech is as close to a dream job as I think I could find. Much of my spare time is spent performing on, and working around, a stage. To be part of such a professional team, one that makes that magic happen on a grand scale, is very exciting”, says Gareth Busson. Please join us in congratulating Gareth and wishing him great success in his new role. We invite you to connect with him: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gareth-busson/
Solotech Hosting L-Acoustics Training in Manchester Leave a reply Solotech is Hosting five L-Acoustics training sessions at their Heywood offices in Greater Manchester. As an L-Acoustics Accredited Training Centre, Solotech is hosting a series of L-Acoustics training sessions including System & Workflow, K2, K1, Variable Curvature Line Source and Loudspeaker Calibration sessions. For L-Acoustics training, delegates start with System & Workflow, before progressing to modules on system design and control. It is essential that delegates for design and control training have completed System & Workflow (or the previously offered System Fundamentals). However it is not necessary to complete both at the same time. Solotech Unit 101 Phoenix Close, Heywood OL10 2JG Date Course Price 13 February 2023 System & Workflow Sold Out 14 February 2023 K2 System Sold Out 15 February 2023 K1 System £140 ExVAT 16 February 2023 Varaiable Curvature Line Source €245 * 17 February 2023 Loudspeaker System Calibration €245 * *Please note the VCLS and LSC courses are being delivered direct by L-Acoustics. As such, registration and payment is via the L-Acoustics website for these sessions and they are priced in Euros. System & Workflow session This course introduces the users to the L-Acoustics system approach and project workflow, giving an overview of all L-Acoustics tools and all professional roles involved. That is the prerequisite for all other product training courses. K1 & K2 System Days Recognize the standard configurations of a K1 or K2 system and gain hands-on experience rigging and listening to them. Variable Curvature Line Source Perfect your understanding of line source behavior to optimize your mechanical design and use of electronic settings. Loudspeaker System Calibration Develop a comprehensive approach to calibration in the entire workflow of a touring, rental or fixed installation project. Lunch will be provided on each training day. Places will be allocated strictly on a first come first served basis. These courses are extremely popular so book now to avoid disappointment. To book on to the System & Workflow, K2 and K1 courses, follow the link below to our registration form and select the session you would like to attend: To book on to the Variable Curcvature Line Source or Loudspeaker System Calibration courses, please follow the link to the L-Acoustics Education website and scroll down to the sessions on 16th and 17th February
Solotech at Creamfields North Leave a reply Creamfields North a Big Success for Solotech with Martin Audio WPL Cinch presents Creamfields North celebrated its 25th anniversary in style in the village of Daresbury—its home since 2006. The site in Cheshire again played host to the dance world’s premier brand, and with it a selection of global DJ superstars over August Bank Holiday weekend. The biggest EDM event in the UK, hosting 250 artists over the four days, it comprised up to 12 stages, two of which were serviced by Capital Sound (a Solotech company) who have a long history of supporting the event, both in the north and south. Headliners this year included Calvin Harris, David Guetta and Hardwell amongst others, all performing alongside the likes of Becky Hill, Bicep Live, Eric Prydz, Patrick Topping, Pete Tong, Martin Garrix, Jax Jones, Scooter and Armin van Buuren. All the performances were DJ playback, and as is customary, each of the stages changed name on a daily basis. Working alongside Production Director Ian Greenway of LarMac Live, Solotech were responsible for ‘Stage 3’—a large TFS structure—and the outdoor stage 8 ‘Runway Stage’, which saw the introduction of a new ‘concept stage’. Stage 3 began as a Silent Disco as did all opening stages on the Thursday, changing to ‘Catch And Release’ ‘Stmpd Records’ and ‘MK Presents’ on the successive days. The key nights were Saturday when Martin Garrix headlined and on Sunday where MK revved up the audience hosting his own Arena line up. Solotech fielded 11 MLA elements with an MLD Downfill at the base on both sides of the stage; further front fills were provided by four Martin Audio DD12, while an array of 13 MLX subwoofers in cardioid ran across the front. Set back in the rear of the compound were two delay masts of 10 MLA Compact enclosures, ground stacked on risers. Overseeing this for Solotech was system tech and crew chief, Olly Fallon. Stage 8 came alive as Paradise on the Friday, transforming into Trick on the Saturday and Solid Grooves on the Sunday. This stage was designed as a unique self-supporting, eight-leg truss structure, from which a WPL PA was flown. The upstage goalposts (left and right) supported WPL, and delays consisted of two hangs of eight WPS, were flown from the last goalposts of the truss structure. Rayne Ramsden, crew chief and system tech on this stage, reported that as the first time WPL had been used in this context it was a fantastic success. He said he had received a number of compliments from crews and crowds alike. “The coverage was exceptional, from the front to the very back,” he stated, adding that dance fans surged in to extend the area back some 40 metres beyond the FOH position. “Even with that extra capacity WPL catered for the extended throw distance with no trouble at all,” he confirmed. The complement of speakers that made that possible were hangs of 13 WPL with a further three WPL fills down on each side of the stage upstage from the main PA hangs. These were supported by an additional four DD12 , providing extra front fills, and a broadside array of 13 MLX subwoofers, providing the all-important LF extension. Solotech senior project manager, Martin Connolly, described the event as an outstanding success, and the experiment with the eight-legged free-standing structure as a revelation. Ian Greenway added, “We know Solotech well, and their willingness to adapt and overcome at Creamfields is more important than ever as we start to migrate to newer and more unique structures. With two Creamfields festivals a year now, we’re looking forward to further developing the relationship.” In fact Creamfields marked its 25th year by launching a second edition—Creamfields South, which was staged early June at Hylands Park in Chelmsford and attracted 50,000 dance music fans. Photography by Andrew Benge
The Killers and Capital Sound create a mirage in stadiums with the GSL system Leave a reply As a long-time customer, the sound team of The Killers did not hesitate to turn to Capital Sound, now part of Solotech UK Group, for the expected Imploding The Mirage tour in the UK and Ireland. The sound system chosen and supplied was the d&b audiotechnik SL series GSL. Already satisfied with the system used on a festival in Memphis, the sound team once again called Solotech to finalize the system design for The Killers’ 2022 stadium tour. The system consists of 16 GSL8 and four GSL12 main hooks on the left and right, with 10 flying SL-SUBs per side and 14 GSL8s. Finally, two GSL12 on the left and right completed the whole for the side-arrays. On the ground, there were SL-GSUBs, stacked six-wide and two-high, their arrangement of 21” speakers extending the control of the system’s cardioid pattern down to 30 Hz. Normally a problem, the low end of the spectrum has never been easier to control with suspended subwoofers and G-SUBs. Finally, for delays, smaller KSL8s were deployed in hangs of 16 cabinets per side. All arrays were deployed in compression mode, but the smaller KSL8 arrays can be installed on rooftop structures, in tension mode, to save weight. According to The Killers’ sound engineer, the structure allows for a smoother, more uniform sound than other systems already used. Read the full article here Source: LSI Online. (2022, 11 july) The Killers’ create The Mirage with d&b GSL. Contact Héloïse Meunier Corporate Communications Advisor media@solotech.com
Bryce Jewell appointed Managing Director, UK Leave a reply A major milestone towards a European expansion and diversification of activities London, December 20, 2021 – Martin Tremblay, President and CEO of Group Solotech, is proud to announce the appointment of Bryce Jewell as Managing Director UK, as of December 15, 2021. Mr Jewell will be responsible for driving the overall business strategy for Solotech in the United Kingdom, both for the Live Productions and the Sales and Systems Integration Divisions. “This appointment is the symbol of a new major milestone for Solotech’s expansion in the UK and Europe, and a true testimonial of our intention to continue investing in our people, our technology, our operational structure and our brand”, says Tremblay. “We are in it for the long run, and are definitely looking to build a strong, UK-based operation with–in addition to the audio heritage from SSE Audio, Wigwam Acoustics, Capital Sound and BCS Audio–other key services and technology that set Solotech apart and make it absolutely unique on the global market”, he adds. He is a seasoned business leader with over 20 years of experience within the technology sector spanning the UK, US, Norway, and Australia. Previously, Mr Jewell successfully led the turnaround of the UK and US Enterprise businesses as Managing Director at Global Cloud Xchange who operates the world’s largest privately-owned subsea cable system. Prior to Global Cloud Xchange, he served as Director, Sales Europe at Pacnet, where he achieved President’s Club honours in his first year and continued to excel for 4 consecutive years. His broad experience in engineering, sourcing, product, sales, and management has set him apart in being able to articulate business strategies into concrete action plans that lead to revenue growth and client success and retention. Supported by a strong, experienced, and passionate UK-based leadership Team in both Divisions, and corporate services (finance, HR, marketing, etc.), Bryce Jewell will pursue the amazing growth journey of Solotech UK and its UK Companies for the years to come. “We are absolutely thrilled and proud to welcome Bryce as part of our Leadership Team. His knowledge of business management and technology background will be a major game changer for the diversification of our business activities in the UK and in all of Europe for the years to come,” concludes Tremblay. About Solotech Founded over 40 years ago, Solotech is a world leader in audiovisual and entertainment technology with 18 strategic locations in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and China. Thanks to an inventory encompassing over 300 renowned manufacturers, Solotech is the single source for audio, video, lighting, rigging, soft goods, control and collaboration solutions and services. The company is internationally recognized for its expertise in Live Productions and Systems Integration in various markets, namely music, sports, business, culture and education. Clients can also benefit from its Service Center, Online Store and virtual technology know-how. Solotech is fully supported by three major shareholders: Claridge, Desjardins Capital and Investissement Québec. The company employs 1,360 professionals in its offices located in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Nashville, Miami, Orlando, Pensacola, London, Birmingham, Manchester, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec City, Saguenay, Halifax, Macau and Hong Kong. Find out more at: solotech.com Contact – Solotech PR (Canada) Heloise Meunier, Corporate Communications Advisor media@solotech.com Contact – Solotech PR (UK) Andrew Low, Director of Marketing and Communications, UK andrew.low@solotech.com For further information about Solotech in the UK https://www.solotech.com/united-kingdom www.sseaudio.com www.wigwam.co.uk www.capital-sound.co.uk www.bcsaudio.com
Solotech acquires UK-based SSE Audio Group and confirms its global leadership Leave a reply FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS RELEASE New opportunities in Europe for North American leader in audiovisual and entertainment technologies Montreal , November 28, 2018— Martin Tremblay, president and CEO of Groupe Solotech Inc., is pleased to announce that Solotech has acquired SSE Audio Group, a British leader in audio services. This is among the most important transactions in Solotech’s history. With the addition of SSE Audio, Solotech becomes one of the world’s largest audiovisual and entertainment technology companies. The acquisition will generate growth opportunities and operational synergies, in addition to expanding the services available to current and future clients. “We are thrilled that SSE is joining the Solotech team, especially given their highly reputed expertise in audio services. The transaction will enable us to definitively pursue our expansion strategy in the European market and consolidate our unique position as a global player offering full-service (360°) sales, rentals and integration of audiovisual technologies,” said Mr. Tremblay. SSE Audio’s founder, John Penn, will continue to head the group in the UK and the established brands of SSE Audio, Capital Sound, Wigwam and Sigma Products will be maintained. “Our clients will continue to benefit from the excellent reputation of our brands, but over time they will also eventually have access to a broader service offering on both sides of the Atlantic, as Solotech offers a complete range of Audio Visual and Entertainment Technology services,” added Mr. Penn. There are obvious synergies between the North American and European teams. “Solotech and SSE have worked together for years. We share a passion for innovation, quality and people. I’m convinced that our association will benefit our clients. We will provide them with a broader range of even better services,” said Mr. Tremblay. Solotech’s shareholders (Claridge, Desjardins Capital and Investissement Québec) are proud to reinvest in the company to enable this transaction that contributes to the achievement of its strategic objectives and its positioning as a global company. Pierre Boivin, chairman of Solotech’s board, believes this acquisition opens the door to significant potential growth for Solotech on a global scale. “The audiovisual industry offers excellent prospects for growth, which should increase by 4.3% per year to $53.4 billion US in 2022, compared to $43.1 billion US in 2017. Music tours should generate growth of 10% per year by 2022.* This transaction will enable us to take full advantage of opportunities that open up to us,” he concluded. * Source: InfoComm International, 2017-2022 forecast About Solotech Solotech is a global supplier of technology solutions in audio, video, lighting, rigging, soft goods and control/collaboration systems. With some 1,200 employees at its 13 locations in Canada, the United States and Europe, Solotech designs and executes innovative and unique experiences using cutting-edge equipment and continually evolving expertise. With more than 40 years of experience, Solotech enjoys a reputation for the expertise of its Rental Division (solutions for tours, corporate and special events) and its Sales and Integration Division (sales, installation and maintenance of tech solutions for sports, cultural facilities, broadcasting, conference rooms and classrooms), in the context of a variety of local and international projects. For more information: https://www.solotech.com/en/. About SSE Audio Group Founded in 1976, SSE Audio is the largest supplier of professional audio services in the UK, employing more than 150 people. SSE offers comprehensive audio solutions and services including equipment hire for tours and concerts, sales and installations for a broad range of entertainment venues, places of worship and other public spaces. Driven by its dedication to excellence, investment in state-of-the-art technology and bolstered by its many innovations and acquisitions, SSE Group has received numerous awards. It is recognized in Europe as a leading supplier of integrated solutions. For more information: www.sseaudiogroup.com. Contact : Christine Latour Director, Marketing and Communications 514-370-5225 Christine.Latour@solotech.com Share
