This not only gives them a powerful and award-winning front-line system with which to pitch for new business but positions them as the second largest MLA rental company in Europe.
Managing director Dion Davie said the new round of investment just before the turn of the year was the result of meeting increased broadcast requirements for Sky Sports and the prospect of a busy summer season. Large amounts of their stock have already been requisitioned for use at outdoor events this summer, including their own stately home classical concerts.
"We had so many big boxes going out and we wanted to remain self-contained," he said.
This follows the intention of VME, originally set out in spring 2012, to step up to large-scale concert touring and festivals from their core base of the summer classical concerts and smaller scale reinforcement. "The MLA acquisition represents the biggest single investment we've ever made," declared Dion at the time.
But with the escalation of Sky Sports Fight Night arena tours, which require MLA systems to be rigged in six hangs surrounding the ring, he says "we are using nearly every box we have."
Davie adds, "There are splits of everything, straight off the broadcast, with performance music and grams stings, as well as high level VT inserts, because we have HD screens, which need to be perfectly in sync. It is a highly technical, precision operation."
Meanwhile VME - who recently provided sound reinforcement for the TPi Awards (in front of their production industry peers) - expect to announce other new broadcast contracts, and will be finalising their own summer work schedule in due course.
Added Martin Audio director of sales, Simon Bull, "VME's work profile has given us presence in some segments that we wouldn't routinely be associated with. We are grateful for the faith they continue to place in our cutting-edge technology and will continue to support them far into the future."
(Jim Evans)
