UK / France - SSE Audio Group has acquired French lighting company M.E.S through its French subsidiary Melpomen. Both MES and Melpomen have bases in Nantes and Paris and have worked together extensively on sound and lighting projects in recent years.
MES Eclairages was founded in 1981 and is now the leading provider of theatrical and event lighting in western France. It has an extensive inventory of lighting equipment for rental including moving heads, LED units and control and also installs permanent lighting rigs into venues.
In 2012, sound rental company Melpomen, a member of SSE Audio Group since 2001, decided to establish its own lighting department and recruited Jerome Malen to run it. The move came as more and more event promoters in France are looking for a comprehensive and integrated hire equipment package. In line with this, Melpomen has also just created a video department.
Jerome, who will manage the integration of MES into Melpomen said: "I'm really pleased that we have managed to acquire MES. This gives us a huge range of additional lighting equipment and great expertise with the experienced staff from MES. This is fantastic news for our customers too as they will only have to come to one supplier for the full lighting and sound package from now on".
Melpomen President and SSE director, Thierry Tranchant who becomes joint CEO of the two companies from 1 February, commented: "This move allows us to greatly expand the range and scope of lighting packages we can offer to our customers in France and beyond. This follows our initial diversification into this market last year when we first set up our lighting department."
"We have worked together with MES for many years and all our staff know each other well, so it was clear to us when the opportunity arose that this would be a logical move. MES has a strong reputation in lighting rental for touring and theatre, as well as an active sales department for individual product sales and complete installations."
"Our aim is for Melpomen to offer a complete touring and installation service for both lighting and sound. We will integrate the businesses as soon as possible, and will shortly be moving MES into the unit adjacent to Melpomen in Nantes and we already occupy next door warehouses in Paris, so hopefully it should all come together very quickly."