Both companies will continue under the direction of managing director Karel de Piere, who from the same date has acquired the ownership of Ampco Belgium and Candela from Ampco Flashlight, left the Ampco Flashlight Group, and sold his shares in the Ampco Flashlight Group. The newly independent companies will focus exclusively on sales activities and will not operate in the rental market.
The Ampco Flashlight Group's audio, lighting and video sales activities will continue to be developed in Europe through TM Audio, Lightco and Pixelsource in the Netherlands, Paradigma in Romania and Atlantic Audio in Germany.
The Ampco Flashlight Group will also continue to grow its successful audio, lighting and rigging rental production and technology companies across Europe, led by Ampco and Flashlight in the Netherlands, Flashlight/APR in Belgium and Paradigma in Romania.
Co-operation between Ampco Belgium and Candela and the Ampco Flashlight Group will continue as before, with all arrangements between them remaining in place to serve the best interests of clients, manufacturers and both parties.
Karel de Piere comments: "Although I've had many fantastic years at Ampco Flashlight, it was time for me to face a new challenge. As I started Ampco Belgium in 1992, and later expanded with Candela, it is a great feeling for me to take a step forward by returning to my roots as an entrepreneur.
"I am happy to have the support of the key team members of Ampco Belgium and Candela, as their support is crucial to me in taking this step. We'll continue to support the existing brand portfolio as usual and our clients can count on the service that they are used to."
Dick van Berkum, chairman and CEO of the Ampco Flashlight Group, comments: "We are sorry to see Karel leaving our group as he has made a large contribution to the growth of Ampco Flashlight over the past 17 years. Since he knows Ampco Belgium and Candela so well, we are confident he is the right man for the future of these companies, their clients and manufacturers. We wish Karel all the best with the further development of these businesses."
(Jim Evans)
