Thomas Riedel, founder and owner of Riedel Communications and the Riedel Group, has acquired German pro camera and lighting manufacturer, ARRI.
The entrepreneur from Wuppertal was chosen in a competitive international process with his concept for a new home for ARRI, marking the largest acquisition of his career to date.
The Riedel Group is a specialist in advanced audio, video, and data technology, delivering infrastructure solutions for some of the world’s biggest broadcast, live event, and sports productions. Through the acquisition of ARRI, ARRI and the Riedel Group’s expertise ranges across the entire production chain — from camera optics to distribution.
Founded in 1917, ARRI has been family-owned ever since and has been recognised with 20 scientific and technical awards from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
“For more than a century, ARRI has stood for engineering excellence, innovation, and the highest quality. This success story will now continue and remain in German ownership,” said Dr. Walter Stahl, Managing Director of ARRI GmbH and member of the founding family.
Through close collaboration, ARRI and Riedel aim to unlock new areas of growth, especially in live entertainment and sports. As the first part of the collaboration, ARRI will debut its camera technology at the Eurovision Song Contest, where Riedel serves as the technology provider and NEP oversees production.
Under the new ownership of Thomas Riedel, ARRI’s existing management team will continue to lead the company. The company will retain independent operations and remain headquartered in Munich.
“Thomas Riedel has built a first-generation family business and stands for entrepreneurial continuity and long-term thinking,” said Chris Richter, Managing Director of ARRI. “We look forward to working with a successful entrepreneur and to the resulting market opportunities and access — both in existing and new markets.”
“The Riedel Group brings highly complementary technologies and extensive expertise in live production to this partnership,” added David Bermbach, Managing Director of ARRI. “This strengthens our strategic direction as a ‘Trusted Technology Leader for the Next Generation of Media & Entertainment.’”
“My entrepreneurial path has been closely tied to ARRI for years,” said Thomas Riedel. “This acquisition represents the most significant personal milestone of my career so far. I have great respect for this exceptional brand, its outstanding products, and its strong team. At the same time, I see tremendous potential and am confident that, together, we can position ARRI for long- term stability and future success.”
Jon Creamer
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