The newest member of the acclaimed LiteWare range achieves outstanding TV success for innovative UK manufacturer GDS.

Since its launch at PLASA in September 2011, LiteWare Satellite has been embraced by the entertainment, events and television markets and has been used on numerous prime-time TV sets as both lighting for the cast and as a prominent feature in the set lighting. Television appearances, in conjunction with Richard Martin Lighting include, The Blue Peter Halloween Special, The National Lottery Awards, An evening with Justin Bieber, The Jonathan Ross Show and The Top of the Pops Christmas Day Special.

Richard Martin Lighting recently committed to a substantial stock holding of LiteWare Satellite and has been instrumental in its TV success.  The Blue Peter Halloween special saw Satellite used outside the studio as both key lights and fill light and also as a decorative part of the lighting.  The Wanted played live at The National Lottery Awards as LiteWare Satellite lit the front of the stage. This added another dimension to the stepped part of the set, the show was live so required the quick set up and strike that Satellite provides.

An Audience with Justin Bieber and The Jonathan Ross Christmas special used Satellite as part of the integral set design.  The LD for an Audience with Justin Bieber, Oli Richards used Liteware Satellite along the rear of the stage with the fittings dotted around the set at different heights creating an amazing effect for Justin and his band.

The Top of the Pops Christmas day special used the versatile fittings as a primary visual effect for several of the sound stages during the show.  Presented by Radio 1 DJ’s Fearne Cotton and Reggie Yates, the hour long Christmas special featured performances from The Wanted, Pixie Lott and Example.  Other acts performing included this year’s X Factor winner, Professor Green, Ed Sheeran, Olly Murs, Rizzle Kicks, The Vaccines, Will Young and Noah and the Whale.

Steve Wells, Operations Manager at Richard Martin Lighting comments on Liteware Satellite: -

“Since RML purchased the Satellites, they have been used in a multitude of ways, showcasing their versatility and innovation. Their simple design, various heads and heights mean they are now a firm favourite with our LD’s and customers”.

LiteWare Satellite is a wireless battery operated LED fitting with an extendable fully adjustable head offering 360º pan and 180º tilt.  The fitting can be instantly modified with the use of an innovative internally wired pole that extends to offer elevation between 1.7m and 2.6m. The poles offer a weather proof quick lock mechanism to insure maximum speed of deployment.  LiteWare Satellite is available in RGB, Warm white or Cool White options and accessories include a metal floor plate for stabilising the unit in full extension.

GDS is delighted to announce the appointment of Alexa Brierley, the newest member of its rapidly growing team. Alexa has been appointed as Sales Administrator to strengthen the sales support team.

Based at GDS HQ in Bristol, her role includes supporting the international sales team and providing customer service and support to GDS’s dealer network. Alexa studied language at Cardiff University and went on to teach English in China, she has also worked in administration for a large corporation and gained experience in marketing while at university.

Matt Lloyd, Managing Director GDS commented: -
“We are delighted to have Alexa on-board, she is a bright, enthusiastic member of the team and has already made an impact to the running of the department. Although Alexa’s background is not in the entertainment technology industry she has good administration skills and is already developing relationships with our international client base”.

He added: -
“As we continue our latest phase of development, having the right people in the right positions is a key part of our strategy, Alexa joins GDS at an exciting time and we are looking forward to her positive input”.

Multi-Award winning manufacturer GDS were recently commissioned to develop a flexible lighting solution in a disused area of the Southbank.As part of the Festival of Britain anniversary celebrations, GDS were approached by Roger Hennigan Technical Manager at The Southbank Centre, to assist with the redevelopment of disused outside area  of the Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof.  The space was to be part of the centres redevelopment project, with plans to build a garden and green event space for the festival celebrations.

The Royal Festival Hall opened in 1951 as part of the Festival of Britain and is at the heart of the Southbank Centre.  The RFH welcomes orchestras, operas and contemporary music from around the world. The building is home to the Clore Ballroom, Saison Poetry Library, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room and the Hayward Gallery.  From April – September 2011, the Southbank Centre site was transformed for the Festival of Britain 60th Anniversary celebrations, celebrating British talent and creativity with the biggest cross-arts festival South Bank had seen since the original festival in 1951.

After completing a site survey and taking into consideration the long and difficult cable routes on site, coupled with the incredibly solid 1960’s concrete, The GDS Specials team, in consultation with Roger Hennigan developed a solution utilising the existing original infrastructure. The decision was made to remove the compact fluorescent light fittings from the existing fixtures, refurbish the fittings where necessary and install an LED based solution.  The GDS Specials team were able to design a bespoke solution that utilised the existing 1950’s fittings and cables causing minimal impact to the fabric of the building, whilst implementing a 21st century wireless remote control RGB  Lighting solution.  

The GDS Specials team developed a lighting module that could be used in various formats to fit both of the two types of bulkhead fitting already installed at the centre.   The decision was taken to make the LED lighting modules RGB and give them individual addresses to ensure the fitting were truly flexible.  The fittings are controlled via W-DMX, giving Roger and his team control of the entire area and allowing him to program colour fades, sweeps and complete lighting states from the building control system.

Roger Hennigan – Technical Manager, Southbank Centre commented: -

“It was great to work with the GDS team, they immediately understood the brief and quickly developed a practical and flexible solution that now looks great and is very versatile, this was achieved with minimal impact to the fabric of the building and has made long term energy and maintenance savings”.

GDS Specials Team designed, delivered and installed a modular LED panel, which allowed it to retro fit the existing and original light fittings at the Southbank Centre.  The installation included, 24 large rectangular units, each with 5 LED panels, 18 x smaller rectangular units, each with 2 LED panels and 18 x Circular units, each with 2 LED panels.  Each individual unit incorporated a W-DMX wireless DMX receiver and a custom build LED driver / controller.  The panels were designed to retro fit into the building’s existing and original light fixtures.

UK Manufacturer GDS today announced its plans to improve the route to market for its five multi-award winning product ranges. 

Over the past few years GDS has achieved phenomenal success in the UK and worldwide, developing a successful worldwide distribution strategy with exclusive partners, whilst still working directly with UK customers. Rapid company growth has resulted in increased demand on the GDS UK sales and support team, therefore it has become necessary for it to appoint a specialised UK dealer network to continue the high level of customer service it has become known for.  A network of established companies including Hawthorns, Northern Light, Stage Electrics and White Light has been specially selected to distribute the GDS product range.  Read the rest of this article »

Multi-award winning company, GDS (Global Design Solutions) has announced the appointment of AED Distribution as its exclusive distributor for Benelux as part of a deal with its equipment banker AED Rent.  Equipment banking means AED Rent rents equipment to AV professionals only.  AED Rent now holds the largest stock of GDS LiteWare anywhere in Europe.

AED Rent is part of the AED group and is the leading equipment banker for the professionals in the AV industry with subsidiaries across Europe.  With over 31 years’ experience AED Rent carries an extensive portfolio from leading manufactures, ranging from lighting and sound products to video, electricity and accessories, holding extensive stock including over 44 miles of Truss in its Belgium warehouse.  AED Rent delivers leading brands in to the rental market including, L’acoustics, Clay Paky, GLP, Varilite, Yamaha, QSC, Robert Juliat, and Avolites and provides a complete rental solution to the event industry.   Read the rest of this article »