For those who don’t know the companies: ARRI develops, builds and sells cameras, lenses and lights for high-end productions on sets and son tages. Riedel Communications builds live production networks and intercom gear, so the handshake targets end to end capture and delivery.
What actually changed
Thomas Riedel, founder and owner of Riedel Communications, acquired ARRI, the Munich-based manufacturer of camera and lighting technology for motion picture and live entertainment (Just a point: ARRI is literally 8 minutes on foot from the Digital Production Headquarters).
The acquisition links ARRI closely with the Riedel Group, with the goal of expanding expertise across the production chain from camera optics to distribution. ARRI’s camera, lgihting, and systems technology are complementary to Riedel group’s audio, video, and data technology portfolio used in broadcast, live event, and sports productions.
Ownership, headquarters, and who stays in charge
ARRI remains headquartered in Munich. The company keeps independent operations. The existing management team continues to lead the company and continues its ongoing transformation under the new ownership.
Thomas Riedel describes the acquisition as the most significant personal milestone of his career so far, and says his entrepreneurial path has been closely tied to ARRI for years.
The near term production hook: Eurovision
The first named milestone is a planned debut of ARRI camrea technology at the Eurovision Song Contest, in a setup where NEP oversees production and Riedel serves as the technology provider. The release positions this as an early example of the collaboration’s focus on live entertainment and sports, with an intent to develop integrated solutions by combining respective technologies.
ARRI in one paragraph
ARRI was founded in 1917 and has been family owned since then. Dr. Walter Stahl, Managing Director of ARRI GmbH and a member of the founding family, states that the company’s success story will continue and remain in German ownership.
The company is a global player in motion picture and live entertainment industries, named after founders August Arnold and Robert Richter, with headquarters in Munich and additional subsidiaries in Europe, North and South America, Asia, and Australia. The group structure is Camera Systems, Lighting, and Rental business units. The product portfolio includes digital cameras, lenses, lighting fixtures, apps, and accessories, plus services via a worldwide distribution and service network. ARRI’s virtual production and workflow solutions are described as boosting efficiency for studio operators, producers, and corporations.
Awards include 20 scientific and technical awards from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and six Engineering Emmys from the Television Academy and the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. As well as a literal wall of others.
Riedel Communications and the live production angle
Riedel Communications is a provider of live production tools spanning distributed video and audio networks, intercom and replay solutions, and WAN and MPLS applications.
The company is headquartered in Santa Clarita, California, with global headquarters in Wuppertal, Germany, and employing over 1,000 people in 30 locations across Europe, Australia, Asia, and the Americas.
