SR/Live Sun, November 23, 2008

Appropriately, it started with sound, as well as some smart, dedicated people.

“It” in this case is the comprehensive, full-service AV systems integration company known as Clair Brothers Systems.

Under the steady, measured guidance of President Barry Clair, Executive Vice President and Co-Founder of the systems division, Gene Pelland, the sage counsel of Clair Brothers Co-Founder Roy Clair, and the steady input of numerous company veterans, the entity has quietly grown from “start-up” mode in 1989 to a dynamic presence bolstered by a constantly growing staff drawing from diverse backgrounds and experience in all areas of systems integration.

Coming up on its 20th year, Clair Brothers Systems provides ample expertise in the fields of audio, video, lighting, staging and rigging for every type of installed application – theaters, entertainment complexes, amusement parks, broadcast facilities, houses of worship and others.

And within a few months, they’ll be moving into their own new, state-of-the-art, purpose-built 50,000-square-foot facility located near company headquarters in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania that will further expand their capabilities.

As with its sister entity in concert touring, the Clair Brothers Systems team charted its initial path in the installed world by focusing primarily on what they knew best: sound.

“Similar to how my father (Roy Clair) did it, we began with audio – simply audio – in the form of smaller sound systems, combined with the building, selling and installing of products of our own design,” recalls Barry Clair.

“The first couple of years,” he continues, “there were some theater projects, a few home audio installs, but really, we were open to working with anyone who was interested in an installed sound system. This gave us the chance to take it slowly, try a lot of different things, evaluate other aspects of the systems integration business, and it all was very instructive in helping us plan for the future.”

After a few years and more than a few successful projects, Clair Brothers Systems began to be recognized regionally as a go-to sound system install firm, and the team was growing.

“Around this time, we were fortunate to be joined by Jim Devaney, a talented audio systems designer who also oversees our engineering,” says Pelland. “I mean, here’s a guy who toured for 20-plus years, mixing for artists like Queen, Sting and Fleetwood Mac, and he brings so much knowledge and experience about audio, products and systems. It’s just incredible. Jim’s done such a wonderful job for us for a very long time, and he’s a prime example of how a company is only as good as its people.”