Company News - In the entertainment technology industry's latest high-profile acquisition, Barco has announced that it has bought High End Systems Inc, the well-known manufacturer of automated luminaires, digital lighting and lighting controls, for a total value of USD 55 million. "With the merging of two strong industry players, this acquisition reinforces Barco's leadership position in the fast converging video and lighting segments," say Barco.
Moving News - Erstwhile Chairman of PLASA, Diane Grant, has teamed up with Artistic Licence as part of an ongoing business development plan to maximise the potential of its product sales, says the company.
Sad News - Beyerdynamic has reported that Fred R. Beyer, the shareholder and long-time managing director of beyerdynamic GmbH & Co KG, died on 5 June 2008 in Heilbronn, Germany. The company's statement says: "Beyer will be best remembered as a man who did not bow to convention yet still maintained a strong sense of traditionalism" - a fitting obituary.
City News - Liverpool has been voted England's most musical city in a national campaign set up by the Arts Council. The home of The Beatles and The Zutons - and current European Capital of Culture - took 49% of the vote in an online poll set up by the funding body. Sheffield - which brought the world the Arctic Monkeys and Pulp - came second, while Manchester came third.
(Jim Evans)
