d&b Group has announced the acquisition of UK-based audio visual, lighting and media (AVLM) business White Light to expand the scope of its service-focused d&b solutions division established in May of this year to offer end-to-end support to customers in the areas of system planning, installation, maintenance and managed services. The transaction is scheduled to complete in January 2022.
“White Light is a strategic addition to the d&b Group,” states d&b Group CEO Amnon Harman. “Their technology and expertise significantly increases d&b solutions’ capabilities to offer complete and flexible audio, video, lighting and XR solutions. Driven by accelerated market trends during the pandemic, this is another step forward in d&b’s strategic transition. d&b solutions will become a premium one-stop-shop for the AVLM needs of our customers in the UK.”
Founded in 1971, White Light is a production specialist operating in a range of markets that include theatre, corporate events, broadcast, concert touring, leisure, education and trade. Following the acquisition, the company will become part of the d&b Group and be known as White Light, a d&b solutions company, with all existing staff remaining with the company.
One particular area of focus for d&b solutions is White Light SmartStage technology that has been in development since 2017. SmartStage is an immersive video environment using XR technology to replace the traditional green screen element of a virtual studio. The potential for XR technology, in combination with d&b’s Soundscape immersive audio platform and White Light’s expertise, could open a new market potential for immersive AVLM.
“We are proud to join the d&b Group and expand their d&b solutions business,” says Bryan Raven, managing director, White Light. “We wholeheartedly share the belief in the strategic direction of d&b and we are convinced that White Light will contribute immensely to its implementation and growth. Besides first-class technology and services we also share the same values, which will help us to drive our common goals forward. We look forward to working together to provide customers with the best possible technology solutions, across a whole range of verticals.”
d&b solutions acts independently from d&b audiotechnik, focusing on delivering a higher level of service and integration, and end-to-end installation and production solutions to customers. d&b solutions and d&b audiotechnik have separate management teams reporting up to d&b Group.
Harman concludes, “The d&b Group is committed to providing transformational life experiences to our customers. This means being able to think, consult, design and deliver across the full entertainment technology ecosystem. The people, technology and services that White Light bring to the table will be instrumental in ensuring that d&b Group is able to meet the needs of our customers and achieve this vision.”
