Click to enlarge

Mike Kenny's adaptation of the classic children's tale, The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame at the York Theatre Royal has proved to be the stage hit of the summer. Basking in the glow of rave reviews from the national press, the spectacular production has been billed (amongst other things) as a "technical triumph", thanks in large part to a daring design which called for the complete transformation of the existing theatre space in order to create the interior of Toad Hall. Structural aluminium systems specialists, Litestructures, were called in to help with the metamorphosis.

The design of Toad Hall, which was the brainchild of designers Lydia Denno and Catherine Chapman, necessitated the transformation of the traditional proscenium arch configuration into an in-the-round space. To achieve this, all of the seating was stripped out from the stalls, and Litestructures were commissioned to design and manufacture a raised LiteDeck modular staging system which completely covered the stalls seating area and created a brand new stage that went out to the edge of the dress circle at the front edge and back to the lip of the existing stage. As a result, the remaining theatre seating was now at the level of the stage and much closer to it than before, and an additional seating bank was placed on what was the old stage to create a truly in-the-round environment with seating on all sides.
In order to identify what would be necessary to achieve this, a number of representatives from Litestructures attended site to take measurements and proposed a system which was within budget and was accepted by the venue. The system consisted primarily of standard LiteDeck 8' x 4' sections, some custom LiteDeck sections, leg frames, hand rails and braces. The entire structure was erected by York Theatre Royal's production team in just over six hours.

York Theatre Royal's production manager Paul Veysey was extremely pleased with the installation. "Litestructures did absolutely everything that we asked of them, and the results speak for themselves. They delivered on time and on budget, and our team had no difficulty in erecting the new stage which was such a key part of this production. Everyone has worked really hard to make The Wind in the Willows the incredible success that it is, and I include Litestructures as a part of that. Thanks again guys, and I'm sure we'll be calling upon you again sometime soon!"

Click to enlarge

The recent 40th anniversary Glastonbury Festival saw an impressive 7 modular LiteConsoles (Litestructures' extremely versatile podium device) in action across 4 stages - including the renowned Pyramid stage. Kelis, Tinchy Stryder and Simian Mobile Disco were among the famous names whose stage sets incorporated LiteConsoles. On the Dance Village East stage, Kelis performed with three DJs all using single LiteConsoles. Tinchy Stryder used a single console on the Pyramid stage, while on the Dance Village West stage, double consoles were used by Boys Noize, Nick Warren and Dubfire. On the Glade stage, Way Out West and System 7 also used double format consoles.

LiteConsole's clear presence at this famous festival heralded the launch of the product becoming commercially available in a modular format. In addition LiteConsole has been the subject of rave reviews in DJ Mag and Pro Mobile magazine. These reviews are available to download below. LiteConsole modules comprise just four primary pieces of high-grade easy-to-connect aluminium sections and are designed to house a 50" plasma screen, although this open space may also be utilised to feature a back-lit corporate logo, LED panels, starcloth, or any other form of corporate messaging. The sets by Nick Warren and Dubfire utilized plasma screens to great effect. According to Nick Warren: "I used the LiteConsole in Australia earlier this year when I was on tour with Way Out West, and loved it. At Glastonbury, I was able to incorporate my own video content into the console. I'm sure it looked as amazing as it felt!"

LiteConsole is an extremely versatile podium structure that offers a portable and high-visual-impact solution for any number of applications from corporate A/V presentations, live musician and DJ performances, or recording projects to trade shows and exhibitions where it makes an eye-catching information/reception booth. This lightweight, innovative, modular, easy-to-assemble system incorporates Litestructures renowned attention to creative detail and manufacturing prowess, coupled with unrivaled knowledge and experience, and is now available in a very practical package.

For more information on LiteConsole click here

Click to enlarge

Back in December 2009, Litestructures were approached by newly formed Formula One racing team, Virgin Racing, to design and manufacture a hospitality structure for the 2010 Formula One season. The structure, known in the paddock as a 'motorhome', naturally had to be portable to allow transportation between events, but equally, as a key part of the company's branding, it had to be unique and have outstanding visual impact to highlight the team's new backer and stakeholder - Richard Branson's Virgin Group - for their debut Formula One season.

Litestructures immediately established a great working relationship with the professional and ambitious young team, and once the drawings were signed off in February, Litestructures started work on the build with impressive results: the main structure is built from 2-tier aluminium trussing in LitePro 290/390 with a brushed finish crowned by a twin-tier soft roof system. Designed to host press conferences, receptions, and to provide a private retreat for VIP guests, the motorhome can accommodate between 60-100 guests depending upon the internal seating configuration.

The exterior is clad with a composited aluminium panel system offering an ideal surface for Virgin Racing's sleek black, red and chrome branding. The interior, of course, had to match the aesthetic appeal of the exterior and so Litestructures utilised their newly-designed UltraLiteDeck modular lightweight staging system to create a modular aluminium floor over two levels linked by a complete custom staircase, including handrails, with an applied wood finish to the treads.
When Richard Branson made his first visit to the Virgin Racing motorhome he was thoroughly impressed with the results: "Nice motorhome," he declared suddenly halfway through a press conference with the team. "You didn't make two, did you? I wouldn't mind living in here! I could put a bed over here and the television would be good there..."

The motorhome was delivered at the beginning of May, in readiness for the start of the European Grand Prix calendar for 2010. Litestructures staff were on hand to support the first two events, including the grueling back-to-back fixture between the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona and the Monaco Grand Prix just one week later, and the structure will continue to provide a home from home for the Virgin team throughout 2010 and beyond.

LTM and Litestructures are industry leaders in the design, manufacture and installation of trussing, motorisation, rigging and staging solutions which add versatility to venues worldwide. Our stand will be showcasing our innovative products and respected services, with case studies of our latest turnkey mothergrid and staging solution at Manchester Central. Our expert staff will also be on hand to offer consultation on optimising venues for rigging, staging and touring, drawing on over 25 years experience in the entertainment venue sector.

The Stadia & Arena Exhibition takes place 2-4th June 2010 at ExCel London. You'll find us on stand 27.

Click to enlarge

LS-Live studio recently played host to the award-winning comedian, Peter Kay, and his production team for rehearsals of his well-publicised 'Tour That Doesn't Tour' Tour. Time in the studios allowed the Bolton funnyman to fine-tune his show which is set to entertain 750,000 people over 85 nights across the UK.

This eagerly anticipated comeback tour, Kay's first in seven years, was initially supposed to fill just a few weeks at the Manchester Evening News Arena, but such was the demand for tickets that the tour kept being extended, reportedly making it the biggest and fastest-selling live comedy act in history.

The show opened to impressive reviews, proving that Peter still has plenty more to offer, drawing affectionately on childhood memories, family failings, and the daft things folk say. Furthermore, the seven year hiatus meant Peter had plenty of fresh material to work with including Sky Plus, texting, Blu-ray and all the other newfangled paraphernalia we now can't live without.

There was one special guest whose appearance on Peter's tour was a surprise to the vast majority. Peter had invited the singer Rick Astley to join him as his warm-up act. Astley, best-known for his 1987 number one 'Never Gonna Give You Up' was also in attendance at LS-Live studio where he rehearsed a medley of Manchester classics in preparation for his supporting role.

The record-breaking tour kicked off at Manchester's Evening News Area on 27th April. Venues for the tour include London's O2 Arena, Birmingham's National Indoor Arena, Cardiff International Arena, Sheffield Arena, SECC, Belfast Odyssey, Dublin The O2, Liverpool Arena, Newcastle Metro Radio Arena, which will take place in November 2010 and April 2011.

Both Litestructures and LS-Live have been kept busy in recent weeks in the lead-up to the UK leg of Whitney Houston's first tour in eleven years. The troubled diva has been making headlines the world over with her "Nothing But Love" comeback tour in support of her latest album, "I Look To You". However, whilst Whitney's voice has been the subject of much comment on this tour, visually the production is a feast for the eyes, thanks in part to Litestructures who were called upon to design and manufacture a selection of elements for the show.

In the meantime, LS-Live, the production division of the Litestructures organisation, played host to Whitney's production crew in the LS-Live studio for a two-week rehearsal period prior to the tour.

For the show itself Litestructures designed and constructed a large elliptical LED video screen surround using an aluminium box section with aluminium panel front; two intricately designed helical staircases of aluminium and wood with the distinguishing feature of a handrail with the letter 'W' on it; a frame for the rear of the stage to house moving lamps; monitor brackets to fit the house stages; and the elaborate drapes which were changed from gold to silver colour for the UK leg of the tour.

PLASA Focus is fast making a name for itself as a "must-do" show in the UK, for many serving as a second launch-pad for new products that made their international debut in Frankfurt last month. It also offers invaluable networking opportunities for the UK market. Litestructures, leading specialists in creative aluminium structures, is delighted to be exhibiting at PLASA Focus for the second time with a comprehensive range of creative trussing, staging and support structures. LS-Live, the studio/stage and set/hire division will also be there to introduce their "Festival Survival Kit", a range of solutions aimed at production companies to make their passage through the turbulent waters of festival season as smooth as possible.

Featured products from Litestructures include the LitePro family of of robust, cost-effective frame solutions for a variety of applications; our LiteDeck modular staging system with its unique Toplock locking system; and our new Digitruss system, a truly innovative, cable-free, modular truss system that incorporates both live power circuits and data rails within a single structure.

We'll also be showing the new LiteTower290 EVO, the next-generation LiteTower290 product which is even lighter than the original version as well as being faster and easier to assemble; and of course our hugely successful LiteConsole, an incredibly versatile podium structure that offers a portable and high-visual-impact solution for any number of applications from corporate A/V presentations, trade shows, exhibitions, to live musician and DJ performances. Last but not least from a product point of view is LiteSwitch, our revolutionary control interface which can be programmed to create and manage complex lighting environments.

Long committed to raising safety standards in the industry, Litestructures will also be promoting their manufacturer-approved truss inspection service. This vital service conforms to both BS7906-2:2000 and the LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998) and is available from as little as £99 - a small price to pay for peace of mind.

PLASA Focus takes place 27th-28th April at the Royal Armouries in Leeds. Come and see us on stand S-B4. We'll be delighted to see you!

Click to enlarge

Litestructures is proud to present the production version of their innovative LiteConsole performance platform. It was originally developed as a custom product for Paul Oakenfold who required a modular console to reinforce his stage presence on Madonna's "Sticky & Sweet" global stadium tour. However, the concept has garnered so much interest that Litestructures has decided to make it available as a stock option in an easily customer-configurable format by adding the various system components to the company's main product catalogue.

LiteConsole is an extremely versatile podium structure that offers a portable and high-visual-impact solution for any number of applications from corporate A/V presentations, live musician and DJ performances, or recording projects to trade shows and exhibitions where it makes an eye-catching information/reception booth.

LiteConsole modules comprise just four primary pieces of high-grade easy-to-connect aluminium sections. Standard modules are designed to house a 50" PLASMA screen, although this open space could also be utilised to feature a back-lit corporate logo, LED panels, starcloth, or any other form of corporate messaging.

According to Litestructures' Nick McGeachin, "The beauty of LiteConsole is that it can be whatever you want it to be. Although it was first conceived as DJ podium, it's scope of uses ranges far, far beyond that. LiteConsoles can be used for TV and video/film recording projects, or as temporary retail outlets or sales promotion counters in shopping malls, airports, and other public areas, or indeed as information booths at exhibitions, for example - you really are only limited by your own imagination!"

Click to enlarge

Litestructures was delighted to present the next generation LiteTower290 (dubbed the LiteTower290 EVO) at Prolight+Sound 2010. Building on the success of the original LiteTower290, the new LiteTower290 EVO is even faster and easier to assemble whilst continuing to maximise the fundamental engineering benefits of strong, lightweight all-aluminium construction.

In direct response to customer feedback, the new EVO design offers a number of improvements over the original LiteTower290; whilst simultaneously increasing load capacity to 2000 kg, Litestructures engineers have succeeded in realising a weight saving of 3 kg per tower. A clever combination of CNC machined components and bespoke extrusions has resulted in a design that can be folded, stowed and wheeled by just one operative, enabling significant savings in crew time and costs. The universal motor mount and bi-directional headstock add the finishing touches to a complete and versatile package.

In short, the LiteTower290 EVO has taken the best rigging tower on the market and improved it yet again to create a new standard. LiteTower290 EVO is now even faster to assemble, lighter and stronger than its predecessor - the best just got better!

LiteTower290 EVO is supplied as a standard kit which includes a base section with braces, one 1m piece of LitePro290HD, LiteTower Headstock, all connectors and hinge kit. The system should only be used with recommended Litestructures Truss and in line with Litestructures technical information and guidance.

Click to enlarge

LitePro520 is the latest addition to the proven LitePro high performance truss range from Litestructures. Ideal for the rental and touring market, the LitePro family offers a range of robust, cost-effective frame solutions for a variety of applications. LitePro520 is the heavyweight member of the family engineered for applications requiring large load-bearing and/or span capacity.

Available in five different lengths, LitePro520 is a heavy duty truss line based upon established LitePro technology. Utilising a longer, stronger connector, yet retaining compatibility with the generic TaperLok system, LitePro520 offers an unrivalled combination of load capacity and versatility. An optimised "parallel V" diagonal pattern provides strength and stiffness for a number of different loading applications, while specific "X Brace" end bracing guarantees a robust connection face and high torsional stiffness. The result is an incredibly strong truss line with unprecedented span capabilities of up to 30m, low deflection and robust longevity.

The product is already in use in a critical environment at the Manchester Central Convention Complex where it has recently been installed as part of a staging and rigging package supplied by Litestructures during the venue's ongoing £28 million redevelopment program. The rigging package, which was project-managed and installed by Alternative Access Limited, consists of over 240m of Litestructures LitePro520 primary trusses, orientated in six longitudinal runs down the hall space. These runs can be operated independently for local rigging, or joined laterally using LitePro290-4HD spreader beams, to create a versatile rigging grid in the Central Hall.

Click to enlarge

LS-Live (a division of Litestructures GB) has once again come up trumps at extremely short notice, this time for three-time Brit Award winner, Lady Gaga. LS-Live was commissioned by set building company, Perry Scenic, to design and build a variety of elements for Lady Gaga's "Monster Ball" tour in support of the artist's second studio album, "The Fame Monster". LS-Live deployed their custom design group to ensure the project was successfully delivered within the three-week deadline.

The concept was based around a journey through Lady Gaga's home city of New York and incorporated several iconic New York symbols, including an impressive model of a New York subway carriage with automatic doors constructed from a combination of aluminium and perspex, and a rolling staircase which mimicked a New York fire escape, with the unique addition of 4 ft (1.22 m) long syringes which made up the handrail.

A backdrop of a solid fascia representing the New York City skyline, measuring over 30 ft (9 m) high, complemented the already impressive set. A number of neon signs were incorporated into the cityscape, giving the set a genuine NYC feel. The 33-truck production also spent time in the LS-Live studios (the largest purpose-built production rehearsal facility in the UK) for full production rehearsals, and used barriers from LS-Live stage and set stock to accompany the production on tour.

To date the show has been received to widespread critical acclaim for its originality, Gaga's sense of style and fashion, and not least the sheer theatricality of the show with its huge and spectacular sets. The UK leg of the tour kicked off at Manchester's MEN Arena on Thursday 18th February 2010 and runs until 4th June 2010.

Click to enlarge

Arising from an initial contact made at the recent PLASA show in London, the Middle East's leading stage and set rental company, IBS Decor, commissioned Litestructures to design a hospitality unit for Mubadala, Ferrari's official race sponsor at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The IBS design concept called for a structure shaped to read as 'F1' when viewed from one side. This required a complex design as it necessitated the use of reverse angles of up to 70 degrees to achieve the desired profile. Measuring 14m long x 7.5m wide, and with a height of 6m, this was a substantial project, for which we chose LitePro390-4 truss elements, which were then clad to give the best cosmetic appearance.

Taking just 3 weeks from concept to completion, Litestructures, no strangers to the world of Formula 1, showed a winning turn of speed. Interestingly, the same structure has since been used for an exhibition in Dubai with IBS's Alan Scoley commenting that "it was a pleasure to work alongside Litestructures. A lot of hard work and effort were put into the project to meet the tight deadline. It all went together like a glove sliding on to your hand".

Click to enlarge

The millions of shoppers and tourists who flock to London's Covent Garden during the Christmas season can enjoy a special and illuminating treat, courtesy of Litestructures. The area's central plaza has two Palladian-styled buildings, both of which now sport festive, impressive chandeliers. Fulfilling a commission from Jackie Cooper PR, longstanding Litestructures customers United Visual Artists (UVA specified four large chandeliers, two of them 6m high and another two 8m, one of each to hang in both buildings. The circular bases have 2.5m diameters constructed using LitePro290-3, all clad with black powder coated aluminium sheet. UVA provided the creative driving force behind the project, with Litestructures interpreting the design into aluminium assemblies, prebuilding and pre-wiring all elements off-site at their Wakefield base. Litestructures then coordinated the installation, using a combination of LTM LoadGuard™ hoists with special safety features to allow suspension without additional support. A dedicated rigging team from Alternative Access installed the structures during the night over the first week in November. In time for the November 9th switch-on, this project took a mere 4 weeks from concept to completion.

Click to enlarge

Despite the crunch, the entertainment industry seems to be fighting hard and the high level of bookings in the LS-Live Studio proves that touring productions are stronger than ever, encouraged by consistent audience demand. The Studio has seen a very busy October and November and no less than five important acts paid a visit:

• P!nk
• Eddie Izzard
• Arctic Monkeys
• Kasabian
• Cliff Richard

November is not yet over and already looks as though the Studio will end the year on a very high note.

Click to enlarge

After seeing the rolling stage on tour with P!nk, German production company Satis&Fy decided that something similar might be just the ticket for Xavier Naidoo, Germany's R&B sensation. Having approached LS-Live, production manager Mike Lange was able to obtain everything he wanted from our Hire stock, thanks in no small measure to an ingenious multiple leg-frame solution from Litestructures giving the desired heights of 3.6m for the walkway and 2.6m for the wings of the impressive 3-part stage. The production is still currently touring around Germany.

Born-again Spandau Ballet, whose aspirations were more grounded, their style more minimalist, are also notable performers currently touring with LS-Live staging. Approached by long time customer, Tour Manager Ken Watts, the 16m long stage was from LS-Live's extensive Hire department. LS-Live also custom made fascia box sections for the stage, giving a very bespoke look to this stage supplied entirely from Hire stock.

Click to enlarge

September saw Litestructures complete an innovative, motorised truss grid for the Topman flasgship store in Oxford Circus.

Commissioned by Arcadia Group, the UK's largest clothing retailer, Litestructures was asked to design, supply and install a versatile rigging grid to bring a 'Rock 'n Roll' feel to the 15m high atrium.
Litestructures design team came up with an ingenious solution by combining a MaxiLive 4 trussing system, which incorporates 3 circuits, universal lighting track, with a specific hoist system, designed to eliminate the need for secondary safeties, and therefore working at height. This brief was fulfilled by 8 LTM LoadGuard™ BS97906 chain hoists which provide both inherent safety and reliable operation, with control by a specific 8 channel guardian controller. Additional load arresters were fitted to custom made brackets at each point, for further reassurance in this challenging environment.
Litestructures undertook full project management on site to provide power and data feeds suitable for extensive production lighting, whilst liaising with structural engineers to control the loads imposed on the building.
The complete design and install of the system was completed in less than 4 weeks time, and was even able to accommodate an eleventh hour to carry a 1000kg mirror ball as part of a spectacular temporary exhibition.

Click to enlarge

It is with great sadness that we mourn the death of Chris Downes, who was tragically killed whilst riding his motorbike to work on the morning of Tuesday 20th October. Chris joined Litestructures in 2000, and rose through promotion to shopfloor supervisor before being appointed as Production Manager in 2008. His spirit, determination and enthusiasm towards design and manufacturing have been great assets over that time, and we have all come to know him as a friend as well as an accomplished work colleague.

Chris life was characterised by boundless enthusiasm. He enjoyed many sports, being an experienced and accomplished motorbike rider who recorded competitive outings at the Isle of Man TT amongst other events. He was also a passionate outdoor sports enthusiast, being equally at home on skiing, canoeing or mountain biking. All of the above was combined with his dedication to his family, with whom he shared much of his time. Speaking in an internal newsletter in 2008, Chris was able to describe himself in just three words "always give 100%". It is this determination and love of life that will be most fondly remembered, and sadly missed, by all at Litestructures.

Chris leaves his wife Julie, and 3 children Samual ,Harry and Frederick, and our thoughts are with them, his family and friends at this time.

The funeral will take place on Friday 6th November at St Philip's Church in Scholes, W. Yorkshire at 12.30pm. All are welcome to attend. The Litestructures office and factory will be closed on that day.

Litestructures is committed to raising safety in our industry through the publication of information, the encouragement of training and sharing of knowledge. As part of this, we are proud to launch a new service (introduced at PLASA 09) by offering a manufacturer approved inspection service to customers old and new.

According to BS7906-2:2000, initial and periodic inspections of truss should be both implemented and recorded, to ensure the safe use of trussing systems and assemblies.

It is also a requirement of LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998), that all parts of a lifting system must be subject to a specific inspection regime. Furthermore, these inspections must be carried out by a qualified person - which can be notoriously difficult to determine or monitor.

Inspection therefore, is often a discipline that is overlooked, and one which Litestructures are delighted to simplify by the provision of a trusted and cost effective service. In managing experienced and qualified technical staff, Litestructures are able to arrange efficient services to work around your business, whilst issuing comprehensive inspection reports for your records.

This service is available from as little as £99, meaning that reassurance need not be expensive...

For a simple consultation or quotation, please call Litestructures on 01977 659 802 or email inspections@litestructures.co.uk

Please note: this service is only available in the UK.

Click to enlarge

The 2009 edition of the Litestructures Product Brochure is out now, cataloguing our complete range of trussing, staging and supporting systems. It's packed with useful information, from applications, through to structural diagrams, and full technical information - it's all in there.
In addition to all the usual products, we've also included information about 4 new exciting products:

• LitePro520 - the heavy duty truss line giving an unrivalled combination of load capacity and versatility
• MidiStage Climbing Roof - the 8m x 6m stage roof ideal for outdoor productions of medium audience size
• MaxiStage Climbing Roof - the 10m x 8m stage roof also available as a 12m x 10m combination
• MegaStage Climbing Roof - uses either LitePro520 or 520Pro trussing system, the 14mx10m or 16mx12m combinations are designed specifically to cater for larger event productions

Beautifully detailed, yet easy to use, this is the definitive and indispensible guide to the creative use of all of our aluminium structures. Request you personal copy today, by calling 01977 659 800, or e-mailing to laurie.giraudeau@litestructures.co.uk

**Ask us nicely, and we'll burn you a CD-ROM of it**

Click to enlarge

Following a competitive tender process, Litestructures, one of the leading specialists in creative aluminium structures, has been commissioned to supply staging and rigging packages to Manchester Central Convention Complex as part of the venue's £20 million redevelopment programme.

Manchester Central is one of the UK's most iconic and popular venues and the redevelopment has centered on creating new and extended foyer areas to the iconic Grade ll listed Central Hall. The redevelopment is allied to infrastructure improvements to provide further cohesion to the venue's facilities, adding value to clients and to the venue's appeal as one of the UK's major convention and exhibition complexes. Key to the Central Hall space development was the implementation of infrastructure in-house to facilitate the staging of conference and gala functions.

Read more

Click to enlarge

Litestructures is proud to introduce you to its brand new website launched on Friday 28th August.

The original design went live in 2006, Litestructures now feel that it is time to update the company's site to give potential and regular clients more information.
The more interactive website is easier to navigate around and introduces all the Litestructures key divisions thanks to an informative home page.

Our Products section gives you information and technical insights on our broad range of products.
Visit our Custom Projects section and discover the exciting and successful projects Litestructures has been involved in over the past few years.
Litestructures LIVE is the newly launched division dedicated to the production and entertainment industry. A one-stop-shop facility, unifying Hire, Stage and Set, and Litestructures Studios.
Finally, discover the Backstage Academy, a revolutionary new educational facility aiming to help improve standards within the performance industry support sector.

Click to enlarge

PLASA 2008 saw the successful launch of Litestructures LiteConsole. Legendary DJ, Paul Oakenfold, commissioned Litestructures, in association with partners Pioneer and Anolis, to design and manufacture a special touring console to highlight Oakenfold's stage presence.

The Litestructures team delivered a unique design for the LiteConsole. The impressive system (3m wide, 1.5m high and 1.2m deep) is lightweight, modular, easy to assemble and incorporates Litestructures high level of attention to detail. The console accommodates 2 x 50' plasma screens at the front and has Oakenfold's name stylishly laser cut on the front fascia along with the Perfecto label branding on side panels.
Oakenfold was so pleased with the result that he agreed to a pre-tour test-drive of the final rig on the Litestructures stand at PLASA Show '08. Since then, Oakenfold's LiteConsole toured the globe following Oakenfold's hectic schedule supporting Madonna's Sticky and Sweet tour and Lenny Kravitz to name a few.

Paul Oakenfold comments: "I have been very impressed with the level of professional support and advice received from the Litestructures team, I am delighted with the beautiful piece of staging technology that has been produced. It made sense to custom design my own console for such high profile appearances. More importantly a console that is easily transported and can be adapted, expanded for any specific reason or occasion, and is visually appealing"

LiteConsole by Litestructures represents an innovative, portable and high visual impact solution for many applications in corporate presentations and live performances. They can be used as musician/DJ/production work surfaces, eye-catching information booths at trade shows and exhibitions, TV/video recording projects, temporary retail outlets/sales promotion counters in shopping malls, airports, and much much more.
Contact us for more info

Madonna's hectic tour ends in Tel Aviv, Israel on 2nd September.

Click to enlarge

Following Litestructures appointment in March 2009 as technical partner of Aston Martin Racing, both companies have spent the intervening months working hard in the build up to the Legendary Le Mans 24hrs race, run this year over the weekend of 13/14 June. The 2009 event was particularly significant for Aston Martin, marked by an auspicious attempt to recreate their glory their outright Le Mans victory of 50 years earlier.

As part of the fastidious preparations required for such a demanding event, Aston Martin approached Litestructures to optimize their circuit working environments with LitePro garage trussing structures and a modular telemetry pod. As with every project, the process started by Litestructures conducting a comprehensive appraisal of the requirements, in order to maximize value for the end user. This threw up some challenging requirements - as the team wanted to minimize both shipping volume and build times to make their time at the circuit as efficient as possible. This was embraced by development of the modular telemetry pod to allow it to pack down entirely into the base section and be built in a matter of minutes by a team of two. The whole supply project was completed within 6 weeks, concluding with delivery directly to Aston Martin Racings facility in Banbury, Oxfordshire in early June.

The team went on to enjoy a fantastically successful Le Mans weekend, finishing 4th overall and first petrol powered car in a race where diesel powered cars enjoyed a distinct regulatory advantage. This made the result all the more impressive, and it was a fitting conclusion to the months of hard work and preparation. The Litestructures team were in attendance at the event, giving them the opportunity to see the equipment in action and discuss development plans for the future.

Le Mans 2009 provided unequivocal evidence that an innovative engineering approach, shared by Litestructures and Aston Martin Racing, will continue to become increasingly competitive on the worldwide stage.

www.astonmartinracing.com

Click to enlarge

Last Thursday (16th July), at the Wakefield district business awards, Litestructures was awarded The "Innovation in Business Awards 2009". The first Wakefield District Business Awards celebrate the individuals and companies who are helping to make the District one of the most dynamic in the region.

Adrian Brooks, Managing Director of Litestructures comments: "We are obviously delighted to win and gain recognition for our innovation. We feel that it was well deserved because as a company, we continually strive to move forward and develop new products and ideas."

Adrian invented the worlds' first aluminum truss system, AstraLite. Since then, many followed: LiteDeck is now the industry standard staging system, the Litestructures rehearsal arena is the only facility of its kind in Europe, DigiTruss, LiteSwitch are exciting new lighting developments. Last but not least, the Backstage Academy is well on its way to training the backstage crew of the future.

Pioneering is exciting, but difficult. They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but having your products, which have taken skills, time and money to develop, blatantly copied can be disheartening, but innovation is key to our future success.

Adrian adds: "Acknowledgement should go to our many customers as they are the people that bring the ideas from which innovation is driven."

Guest speaker Larry Hirst, the Yorkshire-born chairman of IBM Europe and Middle East told Litestructures that: "The art of invention is taking some money and making something, the art of innovation is taking something and making some money".

Click to enlarge

PLASA 08 saw the successful launch of Litestructures LiteConsole; Litestructures was commissioned by headline DJ Paul Oakenfold to design and build a special touring DJ Console to highlight Oakenfold's stage presence. The unique LiteConsole has travelled around the world following Paul Oakenfold's tour dates with Madonna. Since then, LiteConsole has become a standard product in the Litestructures portfolio and Event organisers Kudos are the latest company to add the system to their already impressive inventory.

Following the success of Paul Oakenfold's console, DJ "H", Kudos Managing Director approached Litestructures to make a LiteConsole for their many events throughout the year. The console, entirely made of aluminium frames fitted with easy-to-connect diabond sheets measures 4m long for 1m wide and 1.2m high - ideal for stage presence. The front of the console is made especially to house 2 x 50" plasma screens. The LiteConsole is fully modular, lightweight and easy to build and transport.

DJ "H" comments: "After seeing what Litestructures could do with Paul Oakenfold's DJ console, we thought this concept was the solution for us. Being an event organiser, we not only need impact, presence on stage for any performances we pull off but we also need modularity and easily transportable items - LiteConsole does just that. We are pleased with the result and were impressed by Litestructures professionalism and creative visions."

LiteConsole by Litestructures represents an innovative, portable and high visual impact solution for corporate presentations and live performances. They can be used as musician/DJ/production work surfaces. They can be used as eye-catching information booths at trade shows and exhibitions. They can be used for TV/video recording projects. They can be used as temporary retail outlets/sales promotion counters in shopping malls, airports, and other public areas, and much much more.

Click to enlarge

One of the biggest stage sets of the year certainly belongs to the latest Take That 'Circus' tour and Litestructures Live (LS-Live) are pleased to have supplied one of the integral features of the show.

Working in conjunction with set manufacturer Brilliant Stages and from a concept designed by Es Devlin, LS-Live was asked to manufacture a custom 'Big Top' trussing structure measuring 6m high, with a 15m diameter circle. The all-custom structure was a very challenging build and had to be able to rotate 90 degrees up making a total height of 30m when lifted. The structure included 9 curved truss legs attached to a main truss ring. The rear of the structure was fastened to steel hinges and hydrolic catch arms allowing it to lift up.

It took the LS-Live team 6 weeks from design to completion; which is a very short timeframe considering the scale of the structure. Thanks to the onsite LS-Live Studio, all the last minute tests were possible and a pre-build made sure it all fitted together before the first show which kicked off in Cardiff on 17th June.

Tony Bowern, project manager for Brilliant Stages commented: "Given the size of the project and the time constraint to complete all of the fabrication we at Brilliant Stages, once designed and drawn, turned to Litestructures to produce the 'Big Top' framework. We had no second thoughts on using them due to their experience and reputation in building custom aluminium truss fabrications. The other great advantage was the fact that using their rehearsal facility they could assemble and test rig the whole system before delivering to rehearsals in Cardington Hangers. The end result proved our confidence in using the Litestuctures production team, this allowed us to complete the rest of the set comfortably on time. Good job well done."

Click to enlarge

Wednesday 10th June proved to be a memorable day for Litestructures(GB)Ltd as it marked the launch of its brand new division called Litestructures LIVE.

Litestructures LIVE is a unique, one-stop-shop facility, unifying three previously distinct areas of operation, Hire, Stage and Set, and Litestructures Studios, merging them into a single, powerful entity. Add into the mix on-site custom design and manufacture and you have the most capable, flexible, experienced and user-friendly force in the concert, touring and events marketplace. In short, Litestructures LIVE is a division formed by fusion.

The launch took place at Gibson Guitars showroom in London. After a speech and introduction from Julia Jones, Litestructures' consultant in the south, the evening kicked off with musical entertainment provided by Scottish band sensation Our Lunar Activities.

The brand new concept was also introduced and revealed at the ABTT show at the Royal Horticultural on 10th-11th June.

Adrian Brooks, Managing Director of Litestructures (GB) Ltd comments: "For several years clients have used Litestructures for custom-built solutions, rental packages and for the wonderful rehearsal studio, and long may that continue. Through Litestructures Live we will introduce clients to the service and savings that can be had by utilizing the 'one stop shop' idea, where the complete package can be supplied from design to full technical rehearsal, all in one place, from one team, on time, and on budget! We want to promote the thought that you can come here with an idea and leave with the full performance package".

New website: www.ls-live.com

More images of the launch party here

Click to enlarge

The Backstage Academy is the new revolutionary education facility dedicated to the behind the scenes support to the entertainment industry. The Backstage Academy is about equipping the entertainments industry with the trained staff it needs - by 2020 the sector will need 30,000 new technical staff.
The Academy will be innovative and sustainable, and many of the initiatives will be employer led. Based in South Kirkby, and with additional training and workshop space being sought in the Wakefield and Doncaster areas, the Academy aims (from September 2009) to deliver education, outreach and regeneration via:

- An innovative foundation degree that can be studied online, part time or full time over a 24 week period. This will provide a unique path for +18 yrs, those seeking skills updating or those who find themselves seeking a new direction for employment
- A range of online learning initiatives and short courses as part of new learning, skills updating or career & professional development
- Performing arts facilities for rehearsal, training and performance in areas that urgently need a focal point for those people not in education, employment or training
- Lifelong Learning through a range of unique partnerships with the Children's University, Scout Association and the Prince's Trust (Amongst others)
- Regeneration - Backstage Academy will acquire 2,500m² of warehouse space in South Kirkby, Wakefield. This will then be converted to training and rehearsal space, providing a range of exciting and cutting edge facilities to the local community.

The Academy will also deliver a town centre live music venue in Wakefield. This will be a unique "shop window" for students work, in addition to providing a stage for new and emerging talent.

Read more...

www.backstage-academy.co.uk

Click to enlarge

Lift Turn Move (LTM) and Litestructures have announced a partnership, aimed directly at providing complete Trussing, Staging and Support Solutions to the rigging and live production industry.

Under the agreement, LTM will have core stock ranges of LitePro 290, LitePro 390 and 520 Pro trussing for immediate dispatch, whilst Litestructures will have access to LTM's acclaimed range of LoadGuard™ Hoisting Equipment and Guardian Control Systems. A direct working relationship between the two companies will mean technical advice and first class customer service is only a phone call away.

Dan Holme, Entertainment Sales Manager for LTM comments: "We are delighted with the partnership between our two companies. The move into having truss on stock is a logical step towards the one stop solution we are working to achieve for our customers. We can now supply truss as well as the hoisting, control, and rigging equipment that we are renowned for. The new range of professional products manufactured for us by LSGB is exactly what we needed to strengthen the expanding LTM product range. The truss will be sold under the LTM Trussing Systems banner which is part of the growing range of LTM branded products - such as Guardian Control Systems and LoadGuard™ Hoisting Equipment. We will be stocking quantities of the LitePro 290, LitePro 390 and 520 Pro ranges so quick dispatch is possible when needed."

Litestructures' Lee Brooks added "We see that our growth will continue to involve close working relationships with companies which excel in their sectors. Having been consistently impressed with LTM's commitment to customer service, knowledgeable advice and technical support, we are proud to have them offering what we believe to be the most competitive range of trussing and staging systems in Europe"

Click to enlarge

Litestructures are offering a spectacular prize which was revealed at the Prolight and Sound Show, Frankfurt, Germany last week. Beating the crunch and the trend the company is offering an exceptional prize for any overseas distributors: an Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster.

With Litestructures, winning an Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster is simplicity itself. Just place a minimum of €1 million in orders between 01/04/09 and 31/08/10, with the award being presented at the PLASA show in Earls Court, London next year.

The company's presence at the show was very successful with visitors excited by the unusual incentive displayed in the centre of the stand. The main prize of an Aston Martin will be accompanied by other outstanding incentives during the period of the challenge including the opportunity to win two tickets to the Le Mans 24 hour race this summer with full hospitality provided by Aston Martin Racing themselves. For a chance to win any of the prizes on offer please enrol your interest with Ben Weijters ben.weijters@litestructures.co.uk

Litestructures offers Europe's best prices across its range of TUV approved trussing and staging systems. Litestructures has Europe's largest factory capacity and maintains the largest stocks in Germany, Romania and the UK. Now you can really get the best for less.

Click to enlarge

Litestructures who are manufacturers of lightweight demountable structures for use in the Pit lane and garages are delighted to have been appointed technical partners of Aston Martin Racing for their bid to win the Le Mans 24 hour race in June of this year.

Litestructures Sales Director Lee Brooks stated: "it is a real privilege for our company to be associated with Aston Martin Racing in this way. The Aston Martin marque is synonymous with tradition, heritage quality and performance through design, all attributes which Litestructures have engendered into what we do. As part of our partnership we intend to promote our company and products through our found association, and have offered the prize of a beautiful Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster to our overseas distributor who puts in the best performance over the coming months. At the same time, we very much look forward to helping Aston Martin Racing put in the best performance possible at Le Mans this summer."

Commercial Manager of Aston Martin Racing, Sadie Wigglesworth said "Team presentation and performance off the track is totally integral to a successful race team competing at the highest level. We are delighted to be partnering Litestructures this year, who are well respected for the integrity of the products that they offer into the racing world. We will work together to further enhance the Aston Martin Racing brand in the pit lane and the garage environment."

www.astonmartinracing.com

Click to enlarge

Litestructures proudly introduced its new line of creative aluminium solutions at the TPi Awards ceremony in London: LiteConsole. Presenter Phill Jupitus described the console as looking "like something from the Starship Enterprise!" (see photo)

The original inspiration for LiteConsole came from Paul Oakenfold. He Needed a modular performance console to reinforce his stage presence on the Recent global stadium tour with Madonna, and LiteStructures totally answered Paul's requirement.

LiteConsoles represent an innovative, portable and high visual impact solution for corporate presentations and live performances. They can be used as musician/DJ/production work surfaces. They can be used as eye-catching information booths at trade shows and exhibitions. They can be used for TV/video recording projects. They can be used as temporary retail outlets/sales promotion counters in shopping malls, airports, and other public areas, and much much more. In fact, you could even call them 'glorified lecterns' and, if you attended the TPi Awards, then that's what you saw when Phill Jupitus handed out the prizes!

LiteConsole modules comprise just four pieces of high-grade easy-to-connect aluminium. Standard modules are designed to house a 50"
PLASMA screen, although this space could also be employed to contain a corporate logo, etc.

LiteConsole options include durable glossy powder coating in a range of standard colours, locking casters for manoueverability, customizable side-fill panels and fascias, interior shelving, and expandability by simply connecting up to three modules.

For more information, please contact Pat Mulligan on +44 (0) 7825 190 953

Click to enlarge

Litestructures supplied a key feature for the latest European tour of the famous American boy Band New Kids On The Block (NKOTB).

This was the first time Litestructures worked with the band. Production manager Bobby Schneider contacted Litestructures to supply a circular lift which would be located in the middle of the crowd, and would be able to hold the band and rise to up to 6' high.
Litestructures came up with a concept of adapting one of their standard Scissor lifts with a circular 12' diameter LiteDeck staging system - all used from the company's Hire Department.
The end result was a success and the lift acted as the centre piece of the show and toured with the band for three weeks.
In smaller venues, the lift was replaced with a static 12' diameter circular LiteDeck.

Ben Brooks, Hire Manager at Litestructures comments: "It was a fantastic opportunity for Litestructures Hire to use its key standard products such as the Scissor Lift alongside LiteDeck and combine them into a bespoke and unique feature for the show. Litestructures was glad to work with the NKOTB's production which was our first of hopefully one of many future collaborations".

Litestructures Hire has the largest stock of LiteDeck in the UK and has recently extended its range by adding 6 brand new scissor lifts to their stock.
More details about visit our Hire pages

Click to enlarge

Despite the Artic conditions that consumed London in early February, thousands of visitors braved hostile weather to attend the ARC show in Earls Court, and were rewarded with the first glimpse of LiteSwtich, a product that could be set to revolutionise stand-alone lighting control.

The unique philosophy in the development LiteSwitch was clear - create a system that can programme and manage complex lighting environments, yet provide an interface of unprecedented intuition and simplicity. 96 DMX channel, 60 scene programmability combine with sophisticated features such as daylight sensing, PIR (Person In Room) and calendar triggers to create a solution of market leading versatility and provide totally automated control. A compact, elegantly engineered package in an aluminium body, LiteSwitch is available as a surface or flush mount solution, with both units retailing at 495GBP, inclusive of fitting kit. LiteSwitch is designed and manufactured in the UK by Litestructures, and with first deliveries scheduled for March 2009 through approved product partners, LiteSwitch can look forward to a very bright future.

For further information please contact us call - More details on www.lite-switch.com

Click to enlarge

Our latest stage set project is for the Pussycat Dolls' current Doll Domination tour. It's the fourth time we have worked with the American girl band.

The stage measures 32ft(w) x 24ft(deep) and 8ft(tall) - made to fit on 60ft x 44ft house stage. The main feature includes three beautiful staircases - all custom-built. Steps made of a small aluminium frame with a makrolon top. The other main feature of the stage includes 3 scissor lifts all from our Hire stock as well as 2 custom bridging decks to make a 20ft wide custom scissor lift. The top of the decks on the lifts had to have special fixings to accept on stage motorbikes and dancing poles. The production spent six days in the Litestructures Studios for full production rehearsal. The tour kicked off in Aberdeen on Sunday 18th January 09.

Production manager Bryan 'Froggy' Cross comments, "When it comes to set fabrication and rehearsal space for a full production, Litestructures is the only place I trust with all of my artists. The attention to detail that is put into the sets, the people, and the rehearsal studio are all top notch."

Click to enlarge

Litestructures have designed and manufactured a unique triangular ground support structure for the SpinVox Wishing Well, an interactive public installation as part of Covent Garden London's Christmas Delight campaign, designed by FreeState.

Litestructures were approached by Brighton based design and development experts Millimetre to produce an outdoor system that would create a visual delight both externally and internally. Litestructures Technical Sales Manager Paul Hadfield discussed the 'Wishing Well' concept with Millimetre's Marc Thomas & Ivan Clarke to gain a greater understanding of what was required of the final installation and the Litestructures design and manufacturing team swung into action to provide the structure.

The main support structure is 7.2m high with 6m spans between each tower and consists of Litestructures high performance LitePro290 trussing range along with a custom triangular staging system that would also assist with the ballast requirements of the overall system.

Paul Hadfield comments ''When we were contacted by the guys at Millimetre my immediate thoughts was that a 3 leg triangular ground support system of this size was quite unique, however I was confident that with Litestructures highly experienced team involved we would make this happen. Having seen the finished installation it really is breathtaking and certainly draws the visitors in. It has been a pleasure working with Millimetre and we look forward to dealing with them again, just like ourselves they are renowned for thinking outside of the box to create unique designs with great results''

The Spinvox Wishing Well can be viewed until 5th January 2009 on the East Piazza at Covent Garden, London. www.spinvoxwishingwell.com

Click to enlarge

While the rest of the world is, thanks to the Credit Crunch, putting holidays on ice, Litestructures has instead been putting the spectacular Holiday On Ice show into action. Arguably the world's biggest skating extravaganza, the production team once again selected Litestructures to furnish it with a spectacular stage set for their Energia Show. This internationally acclaimed ice show, which is owned and managed by Dutch firm, Stage Entertainment, began its 2008 schedule in Hamburg on 6th November. Holiday On Ice's Technical Director Bogdan Lewko presented Litestructures with the challenge of designing and constructing the large and complex structures in conjunction with Project Manager, Hans Willems of W.I. Creation, working from an original design concept by Award winning set designer, Bart Clement.

The final structure, following a concept inspired by the astronomical Saturn belt, comprises of a 20m diameter aluminium ring incorporating a 1.1m wide skating track made with a Teflon top. The structure also incorporates 2m wide inflatables perimeters to each side, and 24 VariLite VL2500 moving heads. The challenge was unique, in being able to contain not just these loads but also the dynamic loads of skaters, hovering well above the ice, whilst the whole truss ring was motorized by computer controlled hoist systems. The design and structural studies were undertaken by Litestructures to ensure that the spectacular remained safe and reliable.

Skating on thin ice? We don't think so. Skating-wise and business-wise, the results speak for themselves. Down to the last pirouette, or triple Salchow.

Click to enlarge

Litestructures are pleased to announce the appointment of Castle Stage Hire as their new Hire Partner covering both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Established in 1992, Castle Stage Hire have become one of Irelands leading suppliers of mobile stages. Part of their continued expansion relied on the acquisition of an industry standard demountable decking system, and therefore LiteDeck was the obvious choice. The deal was put together between Castle Stage hire MD Cormac McCormick, Litestructures and UK master stockholding distributor Impact Products.

Taking an extensive stock of over 60 LiteDeck, along with leg frames, handrails and step units gives Castle Stage Hire a complete decking system to allow them to provide a turnkey solution to any client requirement.

Cormac McCormick comments: "We researched the market and have invested in LiteDeck as we recognize it to be not only a top quality and versatile product but simply the best product we could possibly offer to our customers." www.castlestagehire.com

On the photo from left to right: Keith Williams, Sales Manager Impact Products Europe, Cormac McCormick, Managing Director Castle Stage Hire, Lee Brooks, Sales Director Litestructures(GB)Ltd.

Click to enlarge

Milton Keynes based Impact Production Services (IPS) have recently made a significant investment in the new Litestructures LiteBarrier. Eighty of the 1m aluminium barriers have been added to the already extensive inventory of IPS. The barriers are very lightweight, and have already proved very popular with the crew as they are much easier to transport and position than their heavier steel predecessors. The IPS LiteBarrier stock includes gates and angled sections. This enables a variety of different configurations to be used, as well as allowing easy access for FOH cable runs.

The new barriers attracted a lot of interest at the recent Showman's Show, where IPS had a run of LiteBarrier across the front of the roof structure on their outdoor stand. Visitors to the stand were impressed with the angled step onto the base of the barrier that reduced the potential trip hazard, and the ease with which the barriers could be located on the sloping ground.

IPS has an established relationship with Litestructures, and also stocks over 500 pieces of the popular LiteDeck staging platform, and a huge range of accessories. Specialising in providing the technical infrastructure for events, IPS has gone from strength to strength, with a diverse range of dry hire and production clients. The summer season of 2009 will see the LiteBarriers in use all over the country- although it looks as if they have already proved to be a firm favourite!

www.impactproductions.co.uk

Click to enlarge

Random Dance is a world renowned touring dance troop, and so big new for 2008 was the launch of a new touring show, Entity, headed by award winning Royal Ballet choreographer Wayne McGregor.

A unique fusion of art and technology, the show features heavily on 3 large mechanical set pieces with which the dancers interact. Faced with a grueling touring programme, combined with a challenging technical brief, Random Dance approached Litestructures to design and manufacture these three main pieces.

The technical solution is an innovative combination of new and established technologies. Utilising Litestructures LiteTower base and truss masts, combined with a totally custom multilink mechanical setup, creates what are effectively large aluminium 'nodding donkeys', not dissimilar to those seen in oil drilling operations. Standing at a maximum overall height of nearly 7m and each capable of lifting a 10m wide x 2m high wooden wing weighing nearly 100kg, these impressive pieces can be built just a couple of hours. The systems incorporate a number of innovations, such as an adjustable 'water ballast' tank, which can compensate for different wing configurations, and a maintenance free linear drive system.

Having undertaken the initial design and engineering study, Litestructures were able to complete manufacture in just 4 weeks from receipt of order - just in time to be ready for a key tour date of 6th November at Het Muziektheater, Amsterdam.

Random Dance Technical Manager, Pauric Hackett commented, "with the set pieces being such a fundamental part of entity, we auditioned a number of manufacturers for their ideas and feedback to ensure that we found the right solution. From the very start, Litestructures seemed engaged and keen to understand the correct solution, and remained that way until a successful delivery completed the project".

www.randomdance.org

Click to enlarge

The Electric Proms have been running since 2006 and the 3rd edition just closed on Sunday 26th October. This festival is dedicated to creating new moments in music and more than 60 artists performed in London and Liverpool from Wednesday 22nd to Sunday 26th October.

Litestructures was approached by Head of Stage Ben Ranner at The Roundhouse in London to supply the main stage set for the venue. The stage, using LiteDeck, the modular staging system from Litestructures Hire department consisted of a tiered Orchestra riser supported by additional rolling risers. The set measured 8'high, 40'wide and 16' deep.
Litestructures Hire Manager Ben Brooks comments: «It was a real pleasure working on the 2008 BBC Electric Proms in such a prestigious venue as The Roundhouse. We supplied a spectacular looking stage set made entirely from standard hire products; this allowed us to provide the benefits of a bespoke stage design".

Litestructures Hire maintains the largest stocks of LiteDeck modular staging in the UK. More info and images on www.bbc.co.uk/electricproms

Click to enlarge

Litestructures has expanded its UK Sales force with the appointment of experienced industry member Paul Hadfield as Technical sales manager. Paul has extensive experience of Trussing and Rigging within the entertainment industry having previously worked for Tomcat UK, PCM, Lift Turn Move and AC Entertainment Technologies.

Paul comments "Having dealt with the Litestructures team on many occasions over the years, I have always admired their commitment to the client in making ideas become reality and their endless drive to create innovative aluminium products. I feel that my previous roles within the industry have given me the experience to become a valuable team member at Litestructures and I am relishing the challenges ahead". Litestructures Sales Director Lee Brooks added "This latest appointment completes a programme where we have concentrated on developing both our products and in-house technical teams, to allow us to offer the first choice solutions and support to the entertainment industry. I am confident that Paul will play a key part in our team for the future."

Paul will be working nationwide, with regular contact time with the design and sales offices at Litestructures GB in Wakefield, Yorkshire. He will concentrate both on the development of sales for Litestructures Professional ranges of trussing, staging and roofs, as well as strengthening the team on project sales enquiries.

Click to enlarge

Yes, we've finally managed to catalogue and detail all of our regular, non-custom products. The new Litestructures Product Brochure is out now, and it's packed with useful information, from applications, through to structural diagrams, loading weight tables and full technical information - it's all in there.
We've also included information about no fewer than 6 new products:
- LitePro390 - heavy duty and optimised TaperLok trussing system
- 520Pro - the highest performing 520mm plated truss
- LiteCube - the cost effective universal corner solution (available with LitePro290-4 and LitePro390-4)
- ProCube - unique; designed to facilitate hundreds of configurations, angles and layouts to be created by one corner kit (available with LitePro290 and LitePro390)
- LiteMast - high performance PA support with ProBase lightweight folding corner (available in 4.5m / 7.5m and 9.5m)
- LiteBarrier - crowd control barrier with extended security platform, 4.0kN/m load rating; 35 kg per 1m section

Beautifully detailed, yet easy to use, this is the definitive and indispensible guide to the creative use of all of our aluminium structures. Request you personal copy today, by calling 01977 659 800, or e-mailing to kimberley.feeney@litestructures.co.uk

**Ask us nicely, and we'll burn you a CD-ROM of it.**
***Ask us very nicely, and we'll send it to you on a USB stick.***

Click to enlarge

Headline DJ, Paul Oakenfold, recently commissioned Litestructures, in association with partners Pioneer and Anolis, to design and build a special touring DJ console. He was so pleased with the results that he agreed to a pre-tour test-drive of the final rig on the Litestructures stand at this year's PLASA show, before heading off to Wembley, where he began a heavy touring schedule with support action for the Madonna concert on 11th. September. The PLASA show's origins were rooted in DJ and discotheque equipment, and it was therefore particularly fitting that Paul should perform as part of Litestructures' 25th anniversary celebrations, highlighted at the show.

- Bespoke DJ Console for touring purposes
- Concept by Gareth Mallon - Litestructures Designer
- Design, manufacture, install by Litestructures
- Breaks down into manageable pieces
- One man build in 1 hour
- 3m wide - 1.2m deep and 1.5m high
- Fits 2 x 50' plasma screens at the front
- Made of ShopLite 3 and 4
- The console was used by Paul for his appearance at Wembley Stadium when he supports Madonna on Thursday 11th September.

Paul Oakenfold comments: "My future global touring schedule will include more and more large stadium shows, both with Madonna and my own Perfecto events. It made sense to custom design my own console for such high profile appearances. More importantly a console that is easily transported, can be adapted and expanded for any specific reason or occasion, and is visually appealing. I have been very impressed with the level of professional support and advice received from Litestructures/Pioneer/Anolis Lighting team, and I am delighted with the beautiful piece of staging technology that has been produced."

Watch the TPI video interview here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xspnWN_1Aa0

Click to enlarge

Litestructures has announced a key new appointment to strengthen its management team. Ben Weijters joins the company as Export Sales Manager.

Ben has a proven track record within the industry starting his career almost 40 years ago at Jac Van Ham, the Audio & Video equipment specialist in Holland. After spending 10 years in the production then installation departments, Ben moved on to the Sales team to finally become Jac Van Ham's General Manager after 20 years in the company.
Having built a strong and respectful experience, Ben decided in 1996 to buy Jac Van Ham's Audio & Videos department and set up his own company called Wytec which become one of the industry's favourite as a distributor in Europe.
Managing Director, Adrian Brooks, commented, "Ben and Litestructures have known each other for many years. He knows our product range, and our way of working, very well. With 40 years experience of the international marketplace, Ben is widely respected throughout the industry, and I am very pleased indeed to welcome him into the Litestructures team in this new and important role."

Click to enlarge

Litestructures has expanded its UK design force with the recruitment of experienced Sales Design Engineer Patrick Lockwood.
Patrick has a proven track record within the industry; he started his career 18 years ago as a qualified welder/fabricator within James Thomas Engineering. He then quickly progressed on to the Export Sales and Project teams where he managed many concert, theatre and design projects from initial enquiry through to final completion. Moving on as a Sales Engineer, Patrick then joined Tomcat UK for 4 years where he continued leading successful projects as well as developing key new products. Patrick will join Litestructures busy Design Team; he will work from his home office in Worcestershire.

Lee Brooks, Sales Director adds: "It's not everyday that you get the opportunity to recruit someone with Patrick's track record and extensive experience. His ingrained knowledge of both engineering principles and our industry brings great value to Litestructures, and strengthens our technical team to allow us to continue improving both our products and our level of customer service."

Click to enlarge

In the heart of the Leicestershire countryside, Kilworth House has in its grounds an outdoor theatre for which the English weather is sometimes less than ideal. Previous attempts at hanging and restraining backdrops for the stage there had been fraught with difficulty, mainly due to the wind. Called in by the production director/set designer Felix Davies, Litestructures first surveyed the site and then proposed a design to solve the problem.

Once approved, the company built the design and installed it to site, in time for its first use in a production of Oklahoma. The finished backdrop is very attractive when installed, and offers easy access to both the wings and the rear if required. Finished in brushed aluminium dibond panelling, which both lightweight and durable, the support structure is manufactured from our LitePro 4 heavy duty trussing. The complete system can be readily dismantled for storage off-stage and redeployed as and when required. Being all aluminium, the structure is both lightweight and strong and, at the end of its working life, 100% re-cyclable. Production Director Davis pronounced himself "Very Happy" with the solution Litestructures provided.

Click to enlarge

Usher at Radio 1's Big Weekend
Ushering in the busy summer season, Radio 1's Big Weekend held on May 10th. in Maidstone, Kent, saw Litestructures commissioned to manufacture 2 x custom rolling base units plus 1 x static display, all featuring the American R&B star, Usher. The bases each carry 5m tall signboards. The centrepiece, set in a plywood frame on an aluminium pylon carried the letters 'USHER', lit by LED's and fronted in perspex. The flanking arrow signboards were made in folding aluminium plate, fringed with casino-style lightbulbs. These arrows were also underlit from a perspex lightbox housing high-power strip lights. One of the arrows also carried an apex feature in the form of a laser-cut plate with surrounding neon flex. At this gig, Madonna had to swear to get attention, Usher just used Litestructures.
Note: the set will also be featured on Channel 4's T4 Special Usher on Saturday 24th May 2008

We get the X-Factor with Shayne Ward
2006 X-Factor winner, Shayne Ward, is not the first of impresario Louis Walsh's protégés to rig out and rehearse at Litestructures. Regular clients, Production North approached us to design and construct a 40'(w)x20'(d)x8'(h), complete stage set for Shayne's latest tour, which began in Glasgow on May 12th., having spent 4 days in rehearsal at Litestructures Studios. Working to a design concept by Andy MacDonald, and principally constructed from standard LiteDeck components, the stage also features a 16' x 4' ramp, mounted on leg frames, a man-lift, and is set off by 21 polished handrails.

Doing the rounds with Girls Aloud
Through their production management, Production North, Girls Aloud have once more called upon Litestructures to provide the key staging elements for their latest tour. The 'Tangled Up' Tour 2008 commenced in Belfast on May 3rd, visiting numerous venues over the following 5 weeks. Central to the stage set, and furnished through Litestructures' Hire Dept., are two 21ft diameter stage turntables, each equipped with concentric platform rings which can rotate in either the same, or opposing directions. Litestructures also custom manufactured special step units, shaped in semi-circles and with a diameter of 35ft, to wrap around half of each turntable, giving easy access for the performers. The full stage set was rounded off with two circular, 8ft diameter risers, demonstrating that, when it comes to staging, Litestructures Hire really are accomplished all-rounders.

All in all, the 2008 Summer touring season is seeing more Litestructures metalwork and staging out on the road than ever before.

Click to enlarge

A digital installation created by Jason Bruges and inspired by O2 Bluebook.

The O2 Memory Project - an exciting community artwork by Jason Bruges Studio - is touring London, Liverpool and Edinburgh for three days each from late-April to early-May 2008. The work uses cutting-edge technology to explore the temporary nature of our digital memories, drawing on the theme of 'nothing is lost'.

Commissioned by O2 and inspired by Bluebook, a service that saves contacts and automatically stores photos and texts for O2 customers, The Memory Project is an interactive installation piece conceived to prompt thought and discussion around how we capture and store digital memories.

The complete memory project structure was designed, manufactured, prebuilt and installed by Litestructures in just four weeks.

Visit the links: http://www.o2memoryproject.com http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7355777.stm

The O2 Memory Project will tour the UK from April 18th, starting at Gabriel's Wharf, Southbank, London. It will then visit The Mound, Edinburgh from April 25th and Williamson Square, Liverpool from May 3rd.

Click to enlarge

Following successful installations at Gatwick North & South, East Midlands and Birmingham International, Litestructures have just completed an innovative design and install project for Best Of The Best in what is surely their most prestigious location yet - Heathrow Terminal 5.

Clearly, the stand design had to be in keeping with the terminal's overall style, with a sophisticated, ultra-modern, high-tech look. Owners BAA also required that the installation should not impede easy passage through the terminal, as this has been hailed as the facility's major passenger benefit. Accordingly, and following BOTB's brief, Litestructures created an installation comprising two stands, one of them equipped with a motorised turntable, the other a static display. Both sections are based on custom LiteDeck modules, and both sport electronically dimmable blue LED downlights which define access points and provide a cool overall look. Both stands feature canopies, their aluminium subframes clad with stretch fabric membrane, internally lit by colour-changing LED's, synchronously for both displays. Each stand has a POS cabinet with integrated power supply. The canopies themselves are held by elliptical structural supports, their 'goalpost' columns being made in the same section as was used to construct the terminal itself.

Note: This is not Litestructures' only involvement with T5. See our item ref. Heathrow Terminal 5, Alternative Access.

Click to enlarge

Following successful involvements with Red Bull Racing, Williams GP and Toro Rosso, Litestrucures can mark the start of the 2008 Formula One season with a telemetry pod tour-de-force for Renault F1.

As ever with constantly mobile F1 teams, Renault F1 required a structure which was quick and easy to assemble, which was lightweight yet robust, and which was efficiently transportable. Litestructures duly came up with a fully-automated, self-folding design. The curved roof rotates through 90 degrees to act as protection for the screen and electronics and it is closed automatically by an electric linear activation system..

The new Renault F1 pod is 6m long, divided into two equal sections, and is 2.5m high. Its screen and shelf assembly lowers to an operating height od 1.8m, while the considerable weight load is spread using aviation-based honeycomb panels, co-operatively developed by both Litestructures and Renault F1 engineers.

The F1 season kicked off in March 16th, with the Australian Grand Prix, and with Litestructures in pole position.

Click to enlarge

Litestructures have been building Westlife's stage sets for 7 years now, but their latest is the biggest yet. Designed for their 2008 'Back Home' tour, the 3-tier stage is shaped in their signature 'W' format, and measures an impressive 72'(w)x40'(d)x12'(h).

Following an original concept by Alan MacDonald, it took the Litestructures design team just 6 weeks to complete the technically advanced structure. Features within and around the stage's 55 LiteDeck platform modules included a brand new 3.5m high modular leg lift, constructed using LitePro 4 heavy duty truss. This lift passes through all three tiers. In addition, Litestructures built a 10m 'totem pole', also using LitePro 4, which sits centrally atop the highest tier, and which houses a laser feature. Rollability for the lower tier was achieved using legframe snap-on bracing. Some 32m of handrails, with perforated aluminium panelling and extra, custom design, access steps to the rear of the structure, round off this impressive rig.

Westlife then spent 7 days in the Litestructures Studios in both technical and full rehearsal, before taking to the road. From Boys to Men in a week!

Click to enlarge

Litestructures was honoured to play a role in the opening ceremonies for Liverpool, European Capital of Culture 2008. Tens of thousands gathered on St George's Plateau for the People's Opening on Friday 11th January '08. Litestructures supported the Liverpool production team with rehearsal facilities, crew and two 40ft vertical walls constructed from Litestructures' popular LiteDeck staging system.
Approached in October '07 by the Liverpool Culture Company, Litestructures was commissioned to build an unusual stage in preparation of the Liverpool Capital of culture opening ceremony. In fact, the stage would be a 48ft by 44ft vertical wall used to rehearse an aerial 'wall walk'. Working along with production manager Simon Barrington and opening events team manager Nick Birkinshaw, the rehearsals took place in the Litestructures Studios in November for 3 days. The rehearsal wall proved so successful in rehearsals it was decided to replicate them for the actual event. The result was two walls used as screens (40ft x 40ft) for the ceremonies using over 100 LiteDeck from our Hire department. Being used as screens, all the decks had to be colour matched to a specific sample provided by the show designer. In addition to the wall, Litestructures provided show contractor Star Events Group some bespoke LiteDeck fitted with clear macrolon tops used for the roof top performance on St George's Hall.

Litestructures also supported UK Rigging by providing crew including our own Hire Manager, Ben Brooks who said: "It was a pleasure to be involved from start to finish in the biggest events Liverpool has ever experienced. Rehearsals were very important on that project as our LiteDeck system was used in a way we had not seen before. It is great to see our hire products being used in different ways that highlights their versatility."

Click to enlarge

Working again with renowned practice DLA architecture, Litestructures once again had the opportunity to use technological aesthetics to bring interest and excitement to a public space. Following on from the award winning DEC project of 2006, DLA again selected Litestructures to work on a new cutting edge educational project, The Stage at Leeds University. The brief was to enhance the reception area of the new centre with a piece that is evocative of the entertaining, theatrical purpose of the centre, without looking too industrial.

Working with DLA, our design team spent time on some initial concept sketches before working these up into full 3D renders to allow the clients opportunity to fully understand the design. Having been given the green light, Litestructures then engineered the scheme to be practical in terms of both maintenance and cost, with an emphasis on providing value at every stage.

The final structure combines a set of delicate curves in AstraLite 3 Polished Trussing, set apart by fire retardant cloth infills to create four floating panels 7.5m tall and 2m wide. From approval of the initial concept to completion on site, Litestructures achieved design, manufacture and installation in just 4 weeks. The structure has received universal praise, and encapsulates perfectly the excitement and dynamism of this impressive University project.

Click to enlarge

Litestructures teamed up with US rapping prodigy Kanye West providing a full stage set for his forthcoming European tour. With a start date of 17th November in Paris, everyone was in a hurry when they arrived.
Using an original concept by Simon Henwood and Richard Weager (partner, HSI, London), it took the combined resources of our custom design team and our hire dept. just three weeks to successfully complete the project. The concept, its realisation overseen by tour Production Manager, Brian 'Hot Dog' Tate was based on the then-futuristic Disney blockbuster 'Tron', and called for some 20 LiteDeck staging system modules, all with Makrolon tops, the creation of a custom DJ desk, plus keyboard and microphone stands. The combined stage and DJ workstation measured 17m across and 6m deep.

With such an important production, the tour management needed a unique venue to rehearse. The Kanye West team came naturally to Litestructures Studios to use the facility for a 5 day full rehearsal. It then came all together for the team who were able to use our Hire and manufacturing facilities being both on the same site as the Studio; meaning any last minute changes were possible and quick.

Litestructures has been short listed for the 'Innovation awards' at the Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business awards 2007.
The awards ceremony celebrates the companies that have helped to make this region the most enterprising in the country. It gathers the creme de la creme of Yorkshire business and aims at honouring the region's finest most forward-thinking companies.

CEO Paul Below said " It is very exciting to be listed for this award. It is a tribute to the innovative genius of Adrian Brooks, the Company's founder, and owner. As a result Lite Structures is today one of the original producers of Aluminium trussing systems, a range that is continually developed and enhanced, such as with the incorporation of DALI and DMX control transmission in the latest Digitruss products .Litestructures are also the recognised leader in aluminium Staging and has a superb design and build operation for the most demanding projects and complex creations. As a private company we are able to respond quickly both to design oriented customers and to market requirements, developing new products and providing solutions. We have built a unique rehearsal facility in our Yorkshire based Studio; have pioneered out-sourcing of construction products in Romania and are a favourite supplier to the most demanding market sectors including live music, motor sports and fashion retail."
The awards will culminate in a glittering black tie dinner in Leeds on October 18.

Click to enlarge

With Line Arrays now a common tool amongst most touring rental companies, a further investment usually has to be in infrastructure for the system in the form of cabling, and more often than not a ground support system.
The options for ground support systems are pretty limited and often come down to individual choice, as they're all very similar. That was before Litestructures entered the party with their new LiteMast, which they claim is "not just another mast". The team have thought about its design and how it will work out in the field. They have then designed an innovative system that not only works from a suspension point of view but more importantly works from a logistics and set-up angle as well.
LiteMast could have easily been a copy of what was already out in the market. But after speaking to various companies about what they would want and what works and doesn't from other masts, along with gaining information from speaker manufacturers about their various systems, Litestructures have re-invented the mast with their unique ProBase system which works in place of the standard fixed angled corner joint. The ProBase incorporates universal mountings for chain hoists allowing one person to locate and fix the hoist in position rather than two which most other systems require. Another key point to the ProBase is the all round hinged corners, these allow the unit to be folded down for shipping with out the need to fully disassemble the mast, aiding load in and load out time.

RCF's Greg Oliver who assisted the Litestructures team with information on speaker systems and other ground support systems that are being used out in the field at the moment comments "Having known the guys at Litestructures for some time, I met with Lee Brooks at the ABTT Show to discuss the possibility of them producing a V Mast. Many of our customers have been looking to purchase various systems, but all have issues about the way they perform and the cost. The LiteMast isn't just another ground support system, it actually works and assists you in suspending your speaker system, reducing load times and labour, which ultimately saves money. It's lightweight yet stronger than equivalent designs with full structural approvals, another key issue for UK based companies. Litestructures are a UK based company allowing faster response should one have any issue's or need a slightly customized LiteMast".

Lee Brooks adds: "RCF's support was extremely important to this project, and by listening to manufacturers as well as end users, we're confident that we've been able to bring something new, innovative and genuinely useful to the professional sound support market."

Oliver concludes "I got a call from Lee days before PLASA 07 and he said that they are showing the LiteMast at PLASA 'do you have a system we can suspend from it?' We supplied them 4 modules of the RCF TTL33-A - Active Line Array for the show, to allow customers to actually visualize what it would look like. The Black gloss finish on the show mast looked great and really caught the eye of passers by."

An immense and extraordinary spectacle has been created for the launch of one of the nation's largest cultural initiatives. Leeds' Light Night, expected to attract thousands of families onto the evening streets, will premier a plethora of never-before available artistic events. The blueprint initiative to bring European city culture to the UK, will be followed by up to eleven British cities, in a half million pound year-long series of Light Nights. A month before its 800th birthday, Leeds Light Night offers the signature, highlight show - HumanSect - a massive and fantastical trapeze display of aerialists from Urban Angels Circus.
Litestructures designed and provided a unique, freestanding, arched rig - one of the UK's largest - bringing huge theatrical scale to meet the expectations of the Light Night project. With such a scale, the Circus used the Litestructures Studios to rehearse and getting ready for the event. The massive, elegant structure will hang exo-skeletal humans with bejeweled wings metamorphose into deadly creatures 10 metres above the Royal Armouries' audience head. HumanSect combines jaw dropping aerial choreography with a stunning visual narrative - a must see!

Don't miss 'HumanSect', Friday 12th October 2007 - The Royal Armouries Square in Leeds.
www.urbanangelscircus.com - www.lightnight.co.uk

Click to enlarge

An unusual feature of Litestructures' impressive stand at this year's PLASA Show in London, was the large number of visitors from the world of professional audio. The focus of their interest was one of two brand new products Litestructures unveiled at the show, LiteMast. As M.D. Adrian Brooks explained, "The tremendous rise in popularity of Line Array sound systems within the concert and touring sector of the pro-sound marketplace has created a problem. They need to be flown, and many venues do not have the facility to easily do this. LiteMast provides a convenient, labour-saving and cost-effective solution, hence the interest from this area, with both manufacturers and hire companies enquiring." The fold-and-ship or fold-and-roll options proved particularly attractive, along with the design's ability to accept all types of motorised hoist.

With characteristic foresight, the company also launched LiteBarrier, a modular crowd control system with advanced features and superior ergonomics, designed to hold back the pressing hordes. Commenting on these successful introductions, Brooks added that, "We saw many more visitors than last year, and processed many more enquiries. This was one of our most successful PLASA Shows for many years."

Click to enlarge

The Scissor Sisters 2007 Ta-Dah Tour featuring dates at London's 02 and Manchester's MEN Arenas hit all the right notes, playing to packed houses, and featuring an entire stage set and trussing rig from Litestructures. This was the second slice of Litestructures action for the Scissors, following their good experience with us in 2006. Working to a concept by designer Marc Brinckman, overseen by Scissor Sisters production manager, Litestructures provided both the custom staging and the trussing. The impressive set, measuring 15m wide, 12m deep and 10m high, took just 5 weeks to design and build, from concept to completion.

Click here for more details

For the first time at PLASA, the Litestructures team will be complemented by additional space and presence from Rope Assemblies and Hoist UK stand H69. This collaboration offers a real solution to any customers involved in the entertainment industry; no need to search the show for complementary trussing rigging and hoisting solutions, you can find them all on one stand!

Visit us and win £1000!
Visit the 'Black Room' and be amazed by a huge array of black products, perfect for theatre and entertainment use. Name them all and win £1000!

Also featured...
the original AstraLite, the first multi purpose trussing system, DigiTruss, the innovative cable-free, modular truss system that incorporates both live power circuits and data rails within a single structure. The industry standard LiteDeck with an unparalell combination of light weight, towing toughness and cost effectiveness.
Learn more about the Litestructures Studios, the UK's largest purpose built rehearsal Studio.
And... we will be launching our new Product Catalogue and Portfolio brochures covering both recent projects and new products.

Register online http://www.registerbynet.com/shows/plasaLITE07links

Click to enlarge

The annual In-Store show, held at Earl's Court 2 in London, covers all aspects of retail merchandising and the in-store environment. Litestructures used this year's event, from 12th-14th June to consolidate its position as a leading supplier to this important and dynamic marketplace. Our innovative stand design featuring many exciting new products, including LED lighting, lightboxes, Remote Control Lighting luminaires and control systems, attracted much attention and many enquiries, especially for our Livelite and Digitruss powered trussing systems, as well as for the sophisticated, state-of-the-art RCL products which we now also distribute.

Click to enlarge

Spring 2007 has seen the second BBC BritBus Tour take to the turnpikes around the U.S., this year playing in fifteen major cities across America, and climaxing in New York towards the end of June. Each bus stop is a 2 - 4 day event featuring the best in British music, television, entertainment and, of course, products, and Litestructures is out there with them. A high-profile promotional tour like these BritBus events, needs to travel with an easy-to-assemble, lightweight, modular, transportable staging and decking system. With its stylish design and unique, time-saving, Top Lock system, LiteDeck was the obvious choice. Having designed and supplied the ideal rig for the tour, Litestructures have also become BritBus sponsors, joining the BBC, Virgin, Gibson guitars and other world brands. Litestructures' Managing Director, Adrian Brooks commented; "When it comes to combining engineering with entertainment, Britain in general, and LiteDeck in particular still leads the world."
Visit www.thebritbustour.com for more details.

Click here to download the Press Release

Click to enlarge

Litestructures is very much at home in the high tech, high performance world of Formula One. Accordingly, we have now provided 3 key elements for RedBull and Scuderia Toro Rosso, including stands, garage structures and the all-important telemetry pod.
After the drivers and the cars themselves, the telemetry pod is arguably the most important resource, seeing constant use during practice, the race itself and for post-event analysis of data. It needs to be structurally strong and stable, incorporating monitors and associated electronics as well as seating and weatherproofing, yet it also needs to be of minimum weight, easy to assemble and dismantle for trucking.
Having excelled with our custom design and build for the 2006 campaign, RedBull came directly to Litestructures, not only for their own 2007 seasons requirements, but also similar structures for their sister team, Scuderia Toro Rosso. The equipment inventory included 8 Astralite garage sets, 12 individual work stations plus LED feature lighting and a viewing area for the pit garage.

Click to enlarge

Saudi Arabian oil giant, Aramco, recently commissioned design consultants HB Source to devise and procure a special, signature sculpture for their corporate HQ. Appropriately, the chosen concept was to create a sculptural representation of a splash of oil. With their unique fabrication, design and manufacture skills, Litestructures were the obvious choice to turn HB's concept into 3-dimensional reality. The imposing suspended structure, measuring some 7 metres in diameter, was engineered and constructed, during a 3-month consultation process, at Litestructures. Incorporating the latest Lexion LED lighting, the structure was assembled inside the Litestructures Studio, and shipped in its entirety to Aramco HQ. Final assembly and on-site installation was in February, and took just one day. Following, as it does, the much acclaimed success of the UVA Volume exhibit at London's Victoria & Albert musuem, this latest Litestructures tour-de-force places the company at the very cutting edge of sculpture culture.

Click to enlarge

Held within London's Business Design Centre in February, the annual ARC Show provides the leading U.K. business forum for suppliers, designers and manufacturers of Architectural, Retail and Comercial lighting. Encouraged by the success of our recent projects for clients such as PC World, United Visual Artists (U.V.A. @ the V.&A.), and Spain's Nueva Condomina shopping centre, the 2007 event saw Litestructures exhibit for the first time.
The stylish and appealing stand attracted much attention: this was the first opportunity for many ARC visitors to acquaint themselves with the unique features and tremendous potential of our latest product, Digitruss, with its innovative cable-free system for the mounting and control of display lighting.
The Litestructures stand also featured a photo-montage, 'Switched On London', with images from the lighting festival of the same name which was, by night, running concurrently in the Pool of London. Having two such strong points of interest to attract potential customers proved a great success, and Litestructures was able to effectively demonstrate that, in this important and expanding marketplace, the company is now fully 'Switched On'.

Click to enlarge

Volume is an atmospheric sculpture of light & sound which is positioned in the centre of the V&A's garden. The sculpture is made of an array of light & sound columns operated by motion sensors; in other words it responds to any human movement creating a series of audio-visual experiences. With an original concept from the UVA (United Visual Artists), Litestructures has been chosen to help turn this beautiful project into reality.
The challenge in this job was to create 24 state of the art lighting blocks with minimal aluminium detail showing and the main trick was to make blocks the look of floating vertical shafts of light.
Thanks to Litestructures' professionalism and experience, the project is a great success and the exhibition is a beautiful state of the art sculpture, a must see. Learn more

Watch the video on:http://www.youtube.com/litestructuresstudio

Click to enlarge

Litestructures attended the PLASA 2006 show at Earls Court, London from 9th -13th September as usual this year. However, this year they were not only showcasing their existing truss and decking ranges together with their set & stage design services and studio facilities. Litestructures chose the PLASA show as the platform from which to launch their innovative new truss system - Digitruss - a structural truss that incorporates both live power and data signals too. The full range of products and services were professionally supported by an impressive range of new literature prepared specially for the show.
The stand, which had been designed and manufactured in house to display to best effect the breadth of products and range of skills within Litestructures, was manned by an enthusiastic customer service and technical team kitted out for the first time in Litestructures "crew" uniforms.
The stand was well received and the level of service admired by all who visited over the four days.
The interest in Digitruss was phenomenal with queues forming throughout the day at the live demonstration area located at the rear of the stand.
The number of leads generated was tripled this year, whilst the quality of leads has proved to be extremely high too.
One week on from the show, work is well underway to capitalise on the contacts made and to continue to promote Digitruss and establish it as an original and innovative market leading product!

Click to enlarge

Digitruss by Litestructures is a truly innovative, cable free, truss system that incorporates both live circuits and data rails within the one structure, The data rails can carry both the architectural protocol DALI and the entertainment industry standard DMX 512 enabling both conventional and intelligent lighting to be attached to the same truss without the need for extension cables.
With Digitruss from Litestructures it is now possible to cost effectively create, seamless, colourful mood paintings or micro climates. You can now stimulate your audience with an endless variety of ever changeable canvasses in a fraction of the time and with reduced labour costs. Any number of light, sound and visual sources can be incorporated in the one, cable free, light weight, low maintenance, environmentally friendly, infinitely flexible truss system - that is Digitruss!

Click to enlarge

July 2006 saw Redbull Racing take delivery of a vital part of their F1 team infrastructure - a Litestructures Telemetry Pod. As the place where the team engineers and managers spend much of a race weekend, monitoring live technical data and observing the cars behaviour on track, the function of the Telemetry Pod is a primary consideration for any team. This is allied, as with everything in the high powered world of F1, with the need for performance and innovation to be integrated into every element of the design.
Redbull Racing originally approached Litestructures with a brief in May 2006, having recognised the good work that the company has performed with many other F1 teams. Lee Brooks, Technical Sales Manager on the project, takes up the story. 'Redbull gave us a very comprehensive brief to work to, having thought carefully about how they wanted the structure to work and look. We were then able to work this up into a feasible design, using advanced composite materials as well as aluminium, to achieve stringent performance target. It was fantastic to work with such a professional client, and to create a structure which not only works efficiently, but stands out visual in a very demanding arena.
The Telemetry Pod is likely to be used for the first time at the German Grand Prix in Hockenheim on July 29th/30th 2006, and will commence its world tour, hopefully assisting Redbull Racing to success in the future.