PRG announced on October 21st 2008 that it has strengthened its specialist brand strategy in the UK by acquiring Essential Lighting Group from the Staging Connections Group.PRG CEO Jere Harris said: “We are very excited about the acquisition of Essential Lighting which underscores our commitment to a specialist brand strategy in the UK. The EL business has been driven by an engaged and committed leadership team that will strengthen the management of our UK businesses”
Essential’s Managing Director, Martin Locket commented, “We are looking forward to becoming a member of PRG’s group of companies. The resources available to us from a global organisation will help us provide a wider range of products and services within our offer to our customers. “
Essential Lighting will be keeping their name, logo and identity, continuing as an independent brand, focussed on the markets that it serves. EL remains absolutely committed to delivering the highest quality lighting services and equipment to the live event industry and its dry hire service to industry specialists.
Essential Lighting and its board will be reporting directly to PRG headquarters in America. The existing PRG lighting business in the UK will remain a separate specialist brand, focusing on the markets and customers is has traditionally served.
Essential Lighting is a leader in the live event business, delivering lighting for challenges as diverse as the BBC Proms in the Park, Car launches for Ford, Renault, Toyota, BMW and Volvo, London Fashion Week, and political conferences. Offering Full Service with lighting design, Systems Rental under the direction of an independent lighting designer and comprehensive Dry Hire services, Essential provides the highest quality service and equipment, maintained and prepared to exacting standards. A subsidiary of Essential, Caseline, manufactures bespoke flight cases for the live event industry, protecting fragile control desks, screens and fixtures in transit and storage.
Production Resource Group was formed in 1996 and has grown rapidly to become the largest and most diverse supplier of technical equipment and services in the world. The PRG group provides audio, video, lighting, and staging services from 14 locations in the US, alongside bases in Canada, Mexico, the UK and Japan.