Thomas Riedel Acquires Arri
Under Riedel's ownership, Arri’s existing management team will continue to lead the company and help further advance its new direction.
Thomas Riedel, founder and owner of Riedel Communications and the Riedel Group, has acquired Arri, the Munich-based manufacturer of motion-picture and live-entertainment camera and lighting technology. Riedel's concept for a new home for Arri won out in a competitive international process, leading to the largest acquisition of his career.
The Riedel Group specializes in advanced audio, video and data technology and offers infrastructure solutions for a wide range of broadcast, live-event and sports productions. Riedel's acquisition of Arri will help establish strategic alignment and create new technological and market opportunities for both companies.
Arri has been family-owned since its founding in 1917 and has long held its reputation as a leader in professional film technology, with 20 scientific and technical awards from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences under its belt. “For more than a century, Arri has stood for engineering excellence, innovation, and the highest quality," says Dr. Walter Stahl, managing director of Arri GmbH and member of the founding family, in a statement. "This success story will now continue and remain in German ownership."
The first joint collaboration between the companies will see Arri debut its camera technology at the Eurovision Song Contest, where Riedel serves as the technology provider and NEP oversees production.
Under the new ownership, Arri’s existing management team will continue to lead the company and help further advance its new direction. 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,” says Arri managing director Chris Richter. “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,” adds Arri managing director David Bermbach. “This strengthens our strategic direction as a 'trusted technology leader for the next generation of media and entertainment.’”
“My entrepreneurial path has been closely tied to Arri for years,” says 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.”
