Middle East Round Up

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REGIONAL ROUND UP

NEUMANN LAUNCHES RE-ISSUE OF CLASSIC MICROPHONE

THE FAMOUS U 67 TUBE LANDS IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

It was the microphone that defined the sound of the ‘60s: the U 67 tube microphone, introduced in 1960, was the quintessential studio workhorse throughout the formative years of modern music and has since acquired legendary status. And now, for the first time in decades, the iconic tube microphone is back in production and built to original specifications.

The company today announced availability of the U 67 in the Middle East following an overwhelmingly positive reception at its official re-launch at The NAMM Show. “Our customers in the Middle East now have a chance to adopt a microphone that set the studio standard when it was first introduced in 1960. The U 67 retains its pre-eminence and with the re-issue, which meticulously reproduces the sound and technical specifications of the original, a new generation of musicians will now enjoy the versatility, reliability and unique sound profile of this microphone,” said Mig Cardamone, Director of Sales and Marketing at Sennheiser Middle East.

With 3 selectable polar patterns - omnidirectional, cardioid, and figure-of-8 - and

advanced tube circuitry, including low-cut and pad switches, the Neumann U 67 is well-equipped for virtually any recording task. Its smooth top-end with a subtle tube shimmer makes the U 67 an outstanding vocal microphone for both male and female voices. Due to its essentially linear response in the 3 polar patterns, the U 67 is also a very versatile microphone for all kinds of instruments such as strings, woodwinds, brass, piano, drums, acoustic and electric guitar, bass guitar and upright bass.

RETURN OF A LEGEND The U 67 was the first microphone equipped with the famous K 67 capsule, which has since become associated with ‘the Neumann sound’ and continues to be used in its successor, the U 87 A. No less important is the U 67’s masterful tube circuit, which features a clever preemphasis/de-emphasis scheme to minimise tube hiss. The U 67 was also the first microphone to address modern recording techniques such as close miking, with its switchable low-cut filter compensating for the proximity effect

occurring at short recording distances. Using its pre-attenuation, the U 67 can handle high sound pressure levels of up to 124 dB without distortion.

Sonically, the current re-issue is identical to the U 67 made from 1960-1971. It uses the same capsule and electronic design. Key parts, such as the BV 12 output transformer, have been meticulously reproduced according to original documentation. Its EF86 tubes have been carefully selected in a dedicated measurement facility for optimal characteristics and lowest noise.

The U 67 comes in a vintage case that is - just like the U 67 re-issue - hand-made in Germany. Besides the microphone, it includes an elastic suspension, a microphone cable and the NU 67 V power supply. The power supply was redesigned to meet today’s strict safety requirements and to accommodate the slightly higher filament current of newer premium-grade tubes. The new NU 67 V is fully compatible with older U 67 microphones, and automatically adapts to the local mains voltage. www.neumann.com

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REGIONAL ROUND UP

ES GLOBAL

ES GLOBAL HAS ANNOUNCED THE FORMATION OF ES GLOBAL MIDDLE EAST, A JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN AL LAITH AND ES GLOBAL.

The new company sees the renewed collaboration of Eugene O’Doherty, Jeff Burke and Olly Watts, the headline management team that ran ES Global during the successful delivery of many London 2012 Olympic projects.

The skillsets of the 2 companies are entirely complimentary with ES Global bringing the experience in the delivery of bespoke demountable structures and pavilions to the region with the logistics and support of Al Laith, the largest events overlay company and multi discipline access supplier in the Middle East. This winning combination will allow ES Global Middle East to deliver projects from design, through the entire delivery process to the eventual removal and relocation of the structure. The company will be headquartered at the new Al Laith facility in DIC, Dubai where it will have access to extensive warehouse and office facilities.

This new initiative is the first time ES Global has formally incorporated into the region. Jeff Burke, Director at ES Global commented: “This is

an exciting and progressive move into a region where the events and entertainment sector is flourishing. We see the formation of this new venture as a springboard to further expansion in the region.”

ES Global bring their unique credentials to the region. The company has design and delivery experience in the music, events, sports and

entertainment sectors. Eugene O’Doherty said: “Reuniting the team that delivered so many successful projects during my time in London is a very exciting prospect. Combining ES Global’s creativity with Al Laith’s regional experience has to be a winning combination.” www.esglobalsolutions.com www.allaith.com

PROLYTE GROUP

PROLYTE GROUP RETURNS TO UAE TO DELIVER TRAINING TO DUBAI WORLD TRADE CENTRE

Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) has once again looked to Prolyte to organise Rigging Training.

With a practical focus, the 5-day course included topics such as safety, machinery, force calculations and bridle calculation - to name but a few. Internationally recognised, attendees left the course, which was presented by Rinus Bakker from Rhino Rigs, with a certificate.

DWTC is keen to train its staff and wants to improve it’s knowledge of people and safety matters whilst working in a hectic and very busy environment.

Matthew Kirby Senior Manager, Production and Delivery stated: “Training our people on knowledge and safety has always been a very important part of our yearly training programme.” www.prolyte.com www.dwtc.com

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REGIONAL ROUND UP 11

ECLIPSE PROVIDES ACCREDITED NA7909 COURSE AND PAT TRAINING

Dubai-based eclipse Group recently organised and hosted the first NAPIT City & Guilds Accredited electrical training programme outside the UK. eclipse ensures its crew are up-to-date with current practices and aware of UK legislation, enabling tours and productions heading into the UAE to be assured of the best support. The company has invested in various training sessions previously, with this BS 7909 electrical course being the latest development.

James Eade was invited over to deliver the training at the eclipse headquarters in Dubai. Eade is a chartered engineer who represents several trade associations on various British Standards committees including those responsible for BS 7909 and BS 7671 amongst others. His breadth and depth of experience in the entertainment industry coupled with his work

on standards and related committees mean that he is well-placed to provide accurate guidance on a pragmatic approach.

“I was delighted to be asked to help,” stated Eade. “While the Middle East has made significant strides to uphold the highest electrical safety standards, considerable divergence exists between the regulations prevalent in the UK and our region, particularly given the typically arduous conditions experienced in the Middle East,” David Angelini, Head of Power at eclipse Staging Services echoed the last point. “The heat and sand can be a real ordeal at times so we’ve invested in the best H07 cables, Mennekes connectors and SES distribution to ensure longevity and robustness in the field.”

The course itself consists of both theory and assessments, as well as a practical element to

enable candidates to be able to test circuits and to check protection methods will be effective. “We have extensive stocks of power distribution equipment so it was easy to set up systems in the warehouse to practice some of the theory learnt in the classroom,” said Angelini.

Electrical safety in events and productions is fast rising up the agenda in the UK and ensuring that it is managed effectively and pragmatically in the typically short timescales of most events does require a good understanding of distribution and protection. “The eclipse crew are a good bunch and I had a great time with them. My job was made easier by the standard of equipment and the prior knowledge of the crew - it was like a good UK company transported lock, stock and barrel into the desert,” concluded Eade. https://eclipse.ae

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REGIONAL ROUND UP

BOUJIKIAN BROS TEAMS UP WITH CLAIR BROTHERS FOR DISTRIBUTION IN LEBANON

FURTHER EXPANDING ITS MIDDLE EASTERN REACH, CLAIR BROTHERS HAS SCORED ANOTHER VICTORY BY ADDING BOUJIKIAN BROS TO ITS GROWING LIST OF DISTRIBUTORS.

Established in 1984 as a supplier of a wide range of electronics accessories, Boujikian Bros refocused its attention towards audio, lighting, rigging, staging, and more when it saw strong potential with the fast-growing Lebanese market, as well as other expanding markets in their greater region. Explained Gary Boujikian, president and general manager of the company: “Our goal is to provide the smartest solutions using the highest level equipment and gear to a wide variety of engineering projects and applications in all regions around the Middle East and Africa. Shifting our company’s focus was definitely the right decision. The potential in these regions is seemingly endless.”

Boujikian Bros serves educational and religious institutions, corporate, governmental, and military sectors, offering a wide range of products and services with dedicated customer

care and support. “The quality products we provide are central to our success. It’s why when the opportunity arose to represent Clair Brothers we didn’t hesitate. Loudspeakers don’t get any better than what Clair Brothers designs and manufactures. And the people at Clair Brothers couldn’t be nicer or easier to work with. I could tell right away when we first met and signed on at PL+S 2017 in Frankfurt that this relationship would be a smooth one.”

During the past year, the pair has made noticeable impact in the marketplace. Most recently, on an historic multi-country demo tour through Europe and the Middle East, the relationship has grown even stronger. Josh Sadd, Vice President and Chief Engineer for Clair Brothers, hosted a product demo of the kiTCURVE12+ Line Array System, 1.5AM+, 8CX-P- 100, and 12Sx in Beirut for an audience of eager

industry professionals and interested potential customers. “I had heard that the Lebanese have a taste for quality and high standards in audio and it was very evident in the turnout for our event. It was great to meet the many people who attended.”

Boujikian Bros sells and distributes the kiTCURVE, C-Series loudspeakers with customizable TrueFit Technology, as well as other stellar product innovations such as the 1AM, 1.5AM Series, the conveniently stackable S2 PA System, and more.

Boujikian concluded: “The winning combination of a great team, unparalleled product quality and innovation, highly-respected reputation and rich history, makes Clair Brothers a global force to be reckoned with. We’re delighted to be their partner. The future is bright.” www.boujikian.com

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REGIONAL ROUND UP

N&M WINS AWARD AS BEST EMPLOYER

TRAINING, QUALIFICATION, A MOTIVATING WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND TRUST-BASED TOGETHERNESS WERE MAJOR CRITERIA IN BEING NAMED ‘BEST EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR’. THE AWARD WAS PRESENTED TO THE COMPANY IN DUBAI AT THE BEGINNING OF APRIL.

Neumann&Müller Veranstaltungstechnik [N&M] has been honoured with a ‘Best Employer of the Year’ award for the sector. The prize was presented at the Middle East Special Event & Exhibition Show [MESE] at the beginning of April. The award honours N&M’s endeavour to create a working environment throughout the enterprise that motivates employees to deliver outstanding performance and contributes to an open, cooperative atmosphere among the staff.

N&M’s commitment to quality is built on the sound, broad-based and practical training of its young employees and the continuous development of its established staff. During the recruiting process not only professional skills but also personal aspects are taken into account to make sure that future colleagues can

be perfectly integrated into the team and that they fit in with the N&M culture. One aspect of this is the managers’ understanding that making transparent, comprehensible decisions and creating a climate of trust and openness are prerequisites for receiving informed feedback.

The flat hierarchies at N&M enable young employees to quickly assume responsibility for larger client projects, whereby they can also rely on experienced colleagues to stand by them so that the successful implementation of project need never be called into question. Not least of all, there are many tangible and intangible benefits combined with well-thought-out schemes that allow employees to participate in the company’s economic success, thus making N&M an attractive employer in this regard too.

Rick Wade, Manager of the Dubai branch, accepted the award together with the N&M team at the MESE gala. Thanking the initiators of the award, Rick Wade said: “The performance and commitment of every single one of our employees is a major factor in the success of our projects and, consequently, in the satisfaction of our clients. We are very proud of our colleagues, who put so much power and creativity into their work on a daily basis.” N&M Managing Director Alex Ostermaier added: “The award is a great success on our way to becoming the best employer in the sector - and it underlines that our clients can be sure of receiving top performance from outstandingly qualified personnel.” www.neumannmueller.com

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REGIONAL ROUND UP

IBS GROUP RESTRUCTURES

The IBS Group in Dubai announces a major restructure, a move that sees a lively and energetic new management team in place to run the operation day-to-day who are all experienced and respected HODs from within the company.

The team comprises Operations Manager, Lorenzo Gempies, HSE Manager, Samir Chikhodrawala and CFO, Stany D’Souza. They will work in conjunction with four core directors who originate from the UK.

This set up and the fusion of European management truly embraces and the sprit and international flavour of Dubai, one of the most dynamic marketplaces at the heart of the Middle East region. Since 1996, IBS has gained a solid reputation as a leading enterprise for building ambitious bespoke stage and event sets, providing detailed and elaborate décor as well as specialist draping and soft goods.

The team will oversee the busy facility and 80 full-time staff based at IBS’s large purpose built premises in Dubai Investment Park 2, purchased and constructed in 2013.

Director, Scott Davis explained: “I and Directors Alan Scoley, Terry Murtha and Nigel Smith, decided that a non-hierarchical management team was the way forward rather than appointing a general manger from outside. When we considered the talent, experience and commitment we have on-board… it was a straightforward decision”.

Each of the three new management team are long term IBS employees and therefore already invested in the company’s values, vision, operation and future enterprise, and each has an in-depth knowledge and a unique understanding of how this very specific business runs.

The move has already brought a new dynamism to the workplace. Everyone involved has more responsibility and freedom to shape their roles within the company both individually and collectively, and to engage in smart approaches that will improve all aspects of work and communication.

“The realignment has optimised IBS and put it in a better position to attain its long term ambitions,” commented Stany, adding that having a system in place with more clearly defined roles, functions, authority and appreciation of the scope of the work means that people working together can accomplish the more challenging ‘organisational goals’.”

The move brought a smile to Chikhodrawala’s face: “We are the same people at IBS who take intense pride in our work have a serious passion for continual improvement”. Lorenzo is “happy to see how motivated the whole team has become immediately after the changes were implemented. Everybody is excited about their contributions,” he enthused.

The more inclusive approach will stimulate innovation throughout all departments – which include carpentry, painting, aluminium and steel

fabrication, electrical, dry hire and equipment rental, graphics, design and technical drawing… plus the essential office and warehouse supporting infrastructures.

“All opinions are considered if they will make sense and be applicable in a companywide context,” explained Davis, and the idea is that departments working more harmoniously together in this way create a synergy that is valued and encouraged.

“The immediate results have been fantastic and the feedback from our regular customers underlines my confidence that 2018 will be a very successful year,” he said.

Over the Last 22 years IBS has become a benchmark for quality work and maintaining the highest standards in the UAE live event Industry.

With the changes, the company is an even stronger collective of professionals and creative and technical practitioners who are moving forward and working together both internally and with a diverse client base… for the benefit of creating and producing superlative live events.

Known for its imagination and flair, IBS is also fully committed to the health, safety and the welfare of its workforce. A set/scenic provider in the Middle East to be certified OHSAS 18001 is very rare, if not unique, and being registered in Abu Dhabi is also another benefit allowing IBS the freedom to operate legally in both of the UAE’s main events market hubs. www.ibs-group.com

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