ETC Acquires transtechnik Lichtsysteme

ETC, the Middleton, WI-based lighting manufacturer, has purchased the Germany-based transtechnik Lichtsysteme division from parent company transtechnik GmbH as of May 31. Terms of the purchase were not disclosed.

ETC says it sees a strong synergy in the new union with transtechnik Lichtsysteme, which is known for its lighting control systems and studio automation in the central European market. 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 our customers. By the combination of transtechnik Lichtsysteme with ETC, we will be able to increase our range of products and services to the German as well as the global markets.”

transtechnik Lichtsysteme will continue to offer its products and turnkey/project management services to clients like theatres, opera houses, and TV/broadcast studios. ETC will support transtechnik Lichtsysteme to continue service its customers and to further build on its product offering. Operations will continue to be based in Holzkirchen (30km south of Munich). The headquarters for ETC’s European sales will remain in London and provide continued service to ETC customers throughout the region.

Robert Sterff, managing director of transtechnik, comments, “We are proud of transtechnik Lichtsysteme and proud to join our 30-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 in electronic systems for the transportation industry.”

Rainer Lotz, director of sales for transtechnik Lichtsysteme, remarks on the benefit to ETC of transtechnik Lichtsysteme’s additional market niche: “transtechnik Lichtsysteme is a respected supplier in the field of studio automation. We maintain a close and growing partnership with specialists Licht-Technik and MTS. Together we will continue to offer unique, cutting-edge studio-automation systems and components.”

ETC will maintain its current established channels of distribution and dealers, including in Germany Lightpower as exclusive dealer of the Source Four® line, and Arcus for the WYSIWYG™ lighting design software line. “We will work to build on those distribution relationships and those of transtechnik Lichtsysteme in the future,” says ETC vice president of business development Bill Gallinghouse.

As part of the overall business agreement, transtechnik GmbH retains its ownership position of avab transtechnik France and avab Scandinavia. Transtechnik Lichtsysteme will, however, continue its business relationship with those formerly affiliated companies and will proceed in the development, sales and support of their avab control and dimming products.