The new HQ not only represents a major investment for the company (you don’t want to know how many noughts were on the end of all those liras), but also a new chapter in what has been one of the major success stories of our industry. And the timing is perfectly cued, for it’s 25 years since Pasquali Quadri first founded Clay Paky, in 1976.
Over the years, the company has grown to be one of the major players in the lighting market and whilst much of that is down to its roots in the club sector, recent years have seen Clay Paky diversify into the wider arenas of TV, theatre, touring and architectural lighting. Central to all this has been technical innovation - GoldenScan did much to establish the company; more recently the launch of new products like the Miniscan HPE and Stagescan in 1997, and the Stageline in 1999, have been huge catalysts for growth.
The new headquarter facility is therefore a logical step, and since no company moves to make life harder, it goes without saying that it will not only give Clay Paky significantly more space (the new building will be 8,000sq.m with the option for expansion up to 24,000sq.m) it will also deliver a wide range of advantages. The first will be one of consolidation, as the company currently operates across three sites - totalling 6,000sq.m - its main Pedrengo facility being the largest of these. All three will be sold, and all the various links in the Clay Paky chain, from R&D right through to sales and support, will transfer to the new HQ. The new site will also feature improved customer training facilities, not to mention a meeting room that will accommodate up to 100 people. However, its showpiece has to be the impressive 7m high demonstration theatre, which will give the company increased space in which to effectively demonstrate its wide product range.
Pasquali Quadri has, understandably, been the driving force behind the new headquarters. His pride in the company’s achievement is evident as he shows us the model for the new facility, carefully lifting sections out to reveal the various departments and product areas, and even more carefully replacing them, lest he should accidentally misplace a piece and the architect take the model at its word.
Work on the new HQ is just beginning and if all goes to plan, Clay Paky will have a new home this time next year.
