JOHANNESBURG — The Gearhouse Group announced its takeover of the rental operations of Prosound, another South Africa-based provider of pro audio, lighting, AV and staging services. Prosound will continue its focus on lighting, AV and sound integration projections along with event design and sales.
More details from Gearhouse (www.gearhouse.co.za) and Prosound (www.prosound.co.za):
Two of South Africa’s longest standing players in the South African technical services production industry came together this week to sign a landmark deal within the local event industry.
Gearhouse’s 10-strong Group of Companies is widely recognised as the country’s largest equipment rental supplier and services live events across a wide range of disciplines whilst Prosound is predominantly known for their system integration and design (permanent and temporary) along with their sales, distribution and services role in the pro-audio, lighting, AV and associated structures arenas. The Gearhouse and Prosound teams have a long history of working successfully together to service local and international events, each fulfilling different requirements for the same clients.
This strategic acquisition sees Gearhouse Group taking over Prosound’s entire rental operation and establishes Gearhouse as preferred rental supplier for future Prosound event business; putting both companies in a strong position going forward. Prosound intends to develop their already very successful Design, Sales, Distribution and Integration business as their core focus, with the additional support of the Gearhouse Group for any future rental requirements.
Gearhouse’ Joint Managing Director, Ofer Lapid, sees this as a very positive arrangement which will promote growth for both companies. “Prosound’s reputation and offerings align well with our own, and with the addition of Prosound’s rental stock, Gearhouse has also acquired new product lines to improve our scope and capabilities,” says Lapid. “It means that we are both able to service our clients more effectively and it also facilitates potential expansion into Africa. The main beneficiary of the equipment deal within the Group will be Gearhouse Splitbeam as this will enable them to develop into a long term rental company specialising in audio for theatre shows as well as their current Lighting offering. We look forward to a long and successful future working relationship with Prosound.”
With Prosound just having celebrated their 40th year in the industry Mark Malherbe, Technical Director commented “It was opportune to revaluate our role in the industry and concentrate on our local and international design, integration and solution capabilities. Recent successful theatre projects between Prosound and Splitbeam proved that collaboration between the two companies would be a reality. This deal signals Prosound’s first step in realigning our core strengths and we’re looking forward to the next 40 years.”
