Oxford-based StarTech has acquired award winning locally-based PA company Tiger Hire.
The move makes StarTech the largest all-round production company in the Oxford area, offering an extensive inventory of the latest lighting, sound, and AV equipment for all types of events, shows and applications.
The Tiger Hire purchase brings with it a substantial Turbosound Floodlight sound system, Soundcraft and Allen & Heath consoles, C-Audio amplification, and all the latest processing, outboard and effects.
StarTech's Roy Narraine wanted to expand his nine-year-old company, while Tiger Hire's Jim Parsons was looking to focus on the production and tour management element of his business, which has been burgeoning in the last 12 months.
Parsons had reached the crossroads where he had to make a decision about the future direction of the Tiger Hire as he had more than enough work for both the rental company and himself as PM/TM. "After 26 fabulous years of running a successful rental operation, I decided it was time for a change,” he says. “It was vitally important to me to ensure that the spirit, energy, and quality production values of Tiger Hire were preserved, and that all my clients were looked after. Roy came up with the perfect offer at a very opportune time."
Parsons also wanted to ensure that the transition would be seamless for his existing rental clients and so is initially involved in a consultative capacity, coordinating Tiger Hire’s active work schedule as the company’s ownership changes hands.
StarTech's current and recent work includes shows with Courtney Pine and Goldie Lookin' Chain, supplying sound and lighting for the Roehampton College Summer Ball, and the opening of Stratford Terminus, east London’s newest public transport portal. The company has also just been confirmed as sound and lighting contractor for two stages at Oxfordshire's rapidly growing Truck Festival.
Jim Parsons is currently tour managing The Waterboys World tour which runs until May 2007 and is trying to find time for other projects including teaching sound engineering techniques in Plymouth.