APL, the Montreal-based supplier of lighting and sound products, has moved into a 32,000-sq.-ft. warehouse which significantly expands its capacities. In May 2002, APL acquired all the equipment of Showmedia Technologies, which itself was formed by the merger of three of Quebec's leading supply houses, Kitsch Audio, Audio Concept, and Eclairage Tanguay (ETI). When Showmedia found itself on the edge of bankruptcy, Ernst & Young was given the mandate to sell the company’s assets. APL stepped in, taking the opportunity to vastly increase its inventory.
The new space, in addition to providing room for larger inventory, includes a 2,000-sq.-ft. showroom, and available film and rehearsal space. Coming soon will be a WYSIWYG studio and classroom for workshops and new product seminars.
The Showmedia acquisition expanded APL's list of product lines, adding High End Systems and Clay Paky gear to the company's inventory of Martin Professional products. APL also has Avolites consoles and has expanded its inventory of ETC and Robert Juliat units as well. On the sound side, the product list includes items for Midas and Nexo. APL has also recently signed up to handle AVR Colourmaster architectural downlighting, working with Marcel Fairbairn, the Florida-based dealer who is now running AVR's US division.
The APL team includes Benoit Fontaine, president; Mark Etcovitch, vice-president; Michael L'Ecuyer, director-general; and Louis Durocher, director of operations. For more information about APL, visit its website at www.apl-multimedia.com.