Martin Professional

Martin Professional, formally Harman Professional Denmark ApS, is a Danish professional lighting brand based in Aarhus. It develops and distributes equipment used to create, control and support visual environments for concerts, theatre, television, touring productions, clubs, architectural installations and large public events. Its portfolio has included automated moving-head fixtures, scanners, strobes, color changers, LED luminaires, lighting controllers, media servers and smoke or atmospheric-effect machines. The business originated with Peter Johansen's experimentation with smoke-generation technology in 1978, when he reportedly adapted a coffee maker to produce a smoke effect. The company was established in Aarhus in 1986 and began commercial production in 1987, initially concentrating on fog machines and a limited range of disco lighting. The Martin name was obtained through cooperation with a French smoke-machine company. During the 1990s, the company broadened its technical and commercial scope. It created Mach as an audio business in 1993 and reached revenue of more than DKK 100 million in 1994. Martin went public on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange in 1995, raising a reported net DKK 85.5 million. Martin became increasingly associated with digitally controlled intelligent lighting. The launch of the MAC 500 and MAC 600 in 1997 helped establish the company in the emerging DMX-controlled stage-lighting market. The MAC 2000 subsequently became one of its best-known moving-head products, used by major theatres, concert producers, television networks and production companies. Martin also expanded manufacturing, opening an 11,500-square-metre facility in Frederikshavn in 2002 and beginning outsourced production in Zhuhai, China, in 2003. Ownership changed substantially in the early 2000s. Schouw & Co. acquired a majority stake in 1999 and completed its acquisition in 2001, after which Martin was removed from the stock exchange. The company grew until the global financial crisis, but recorded a loss of more than DKK 200 million in 2009 and reduced its Frederikshavn workforce by 130 employees. Product development, particularly in LED technology, became an important route to recovery. Collaboration with Aalborg University contributed to the LED-based MAC 350 Entour, which received the Confederation of Danish Industry's product award in 2010. Harman International acquired Martin from Schouw in 2013. The transaction excluded the Frederikshavn factories, although Harman initially continued renting the buildings. Harman announced the closure of the Frederikshavn facility in 2015, with closure completed on 31 March 2016. The Mach audio business was separated as part of the transaction and later relaunched under independent ownership. In 2018, Elation Professional acquired Martin's M-Series lighting-controller and software range, while Martin continued under Harman's professional-lighting activities. The brand's modern portfolio has included the MAC Viper, MAC Quantum, MAC Aura, MAC Allure Profile, RUSH DJ products and Era fixtures. Martin equipment has been used at prominent international events, including the 2001 Eurovision Song Contest, the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, where Martin reportedly supplied more than 1,100 automated fixtures for the opening ceremony. The company remains focused primarily on professional lighting technology within Harman Professional Solutions.

Martin Professional traces its origins to Peter Johansen's 1978 experimentation with smoke-generation equipment. The company was founded in Aarhus in 1986 and began production in 1987, initially making fog machines and a small number of disco-lighting products. Its name was obtained through cooperation with a French smoke-machine company. In 1993 Martin created Mach, an audio business. The company exceeded DKK 100 million in revenue in 1994 and listed on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange in 1995. Martin's strategic importance shifted toward intelligent lighting during the 1990s. The MAC 500 and MAC 600, introduced in 1997, helped the company compete in the developing DMX-controlled stage-lighting market. The MAC 2000 later became a particularly prominent moving-head fixture. Schouw & Co. purchased 60 percent of Martin in 1999 and acquired the remaining business in 2001, taking the company private. Martin expanded manufacturing with a new 11,500-square-metre Frederikshavn factory in 2002 and outsourced some production to Zhuhai, China, beginning in 2003. Mach Audio was phased out in 2006. The 2008 financial crisis interrupted Martin's growth. In 2009 the company reported a loss of more than DKK 200 million and cut 130 jobs at its Frederikshavn production sites. Its recovery was supported by continued product development, especially LED technology. The MAC 350 Entour, developed using technology from a three-year collaboration with Aalborg University, received the Confederation of Danish Industry's product award in 2010. The MAC Aura won a PLASA innovation award in 2011, followed by the MAC Viper Profile in 2012. Martin also began transferring some production back to Denmark in 2012, adding 26 employees at Frederikshavn. Harman International Industries acquired Martin from Schouw in 2013. The acquisition did not include the Frederikshavn factories, although Harman rented the facilities. Harman announced in 2015 that the factory would close, and the closure was completed on 31 March 2016. The Mach brand was released to a group of Canadian and Hong Kong investors and relaunched independently. In 2018 Elation Professional acquired Martin's M-Series controller and software business. Martin subsequently continued as part of Harman Professional Solutions, with lighting as its core activity. Martin products have appeared at major international events, including the 2001 Eurovision Song Contest, the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. At the Beijing opening ceremony, Martin was reported to have supplied more than 1,100 automated lighting fixtures. The brand's later range included MAC Viper, MAC Quantum, MAC Aura, MAC Allure Profile, RUSH DJ and Era products.

• 2018

  MAC Allure Profile launched

  [1]Martin Professionalen.wikipedia.org

  Martin launched the LED moving-head MAC Allure Profile.

• 2013

  Acquired by Harman

  [1]Martin Professionalen.wikipedia.org

  Harman International Industries completed its acquisition of Martin from Schouw & Co.

• 2010

  MAC 350 Entour receives Danish industry award

  [1]Martin Professionalen.wikipedia.org

  The Confederation of Danish Industry gave its annual product award to the LED-based MAC 350 Entour.

• 2002

  Frederikshavn factory opens

  [1]Martin Professionalen.wikipedia.org

  Martin expanded production through an 11,500-square-metre factory in Frederikshavn.

• 1997

  MAC 500 and MAC 600 introduced

  [1]Martin Professionalen.wikipedia.org

  The MAC 500 and MAC 600 helped establish Martin in DMX-controlled intelligent stage lighting.

• 1993

  Mach audio unit established

  [1]Martin Professionalen.wikipedia.org

  Martin created Mach as an audio business.

• 1987

  Commercial production begins

  [1]Martin Professionalen.wikipedia.org

  The company began producing fog machines and a limited selection of disco lights.

• 1986

  Company founded in Aarhus

  [1]Martin Professionalen.wikipedia.org

  Martin was established in Aarhus, Denmark.

• 1978

  Early smoke-machine experimentation

  [1]Martin Professionalen.wikipedia.org

  Peter Johansen developed an early smoke generator using a coffee maker, an experiment that preceded the Martin business.

A professional entertainment-lighting technology brand serving demanding stage, touring, broadcast, theatrical, architectural and event-production applications, with particular emphasis on automated fixtures and LED innovation.

• Automated moving-head fixture

  MAC 2000

  The MAC 2000 is Martin's best-known moving-head product family. It was designed for large-scale professional applications, including theatre, concerts, television and touring productions, and helped establish the brand's reputation in automated entertainment lighting.

• DMX intelligent lighting · 1997

  MAC 500 and MAC 600

  Introduced in 1997, the MAC 500 and MAC 600 were among Martin's important early intelligent-lighting products. Their DMX-controlled design positioned the company in the rapidly developing market for programmable stage fixtures.

• Automated moving-head fixture

  MAC Viper

  The MAC Viper line is a professional moving-head family developed for stage and event production. The MAC Viper Profile received a PLASA innovation award in 2012, supporting Martin's positioning around advanced fixture design.

• LED moving-head fixture

  MAC Quantum

  The MAC Quantum series represents Martin's LED-based moving-head offering. It extends the brand's focus on efficient, programmable fixtures for concerts, theatre, television and other professional production environments.

• LED wash fixture

  MAC Aura

  The MAC Aura is an LED luminaire associated with Martin's expansion into versatile LED stage lighting. It received a PLASA innovation award in 2011 and is intended for professional visual production applications.

• LED moving-head fixture · 2018

  MAC Allure Profile

  Launched in October 2018, the MAC Allure Profile is an LED moving-head fixture in Martin's professional entertainment-lighting portfolio.

• DJ and club lighting

  RUSH DJ

  The RUSH DJ range serves DJ, club and smaller entertainment applications. It succeeded Martin's Mania range and broadened access to the company's lighting technology beyond large touring and theatrical systems.

• Automated entertainment lighting

  Era

  The Era range includes the Era 400 Performance, Era 500 Hybrid, Era 600 Performance, Era 300 Profile and Era 800 Performance. Together these fixtures address varied professional performance and event-lighting requirements.

• Atmospheric effects · 1987

  Fog and smoke machines

  Fog and smoke machines were Martin's original commercial focus. The company began with these atmospheric-effect products before expanding into disco lights, automated fixtures, LED systems and lighting control.

• 2018

  M-Series controller and software business transferredM&A

  Background

  Martin's M-Series range covered lighting controllers and associated software.

  Action taken

  Elation Professional acquired the M-Series range from Martin.

  Aftermath

  Martin's business remained centered on professional lighting fixtures and related Harman Professional Solutions activities.

  Source

• 2015

  Closure of Frederikshavn factoryStrategy

  Background

  After Harman acquired Martin without the Frederikshavn factories, the manufacturing facilities were rented from Schouw.

  Action taken

  Harman announced the closure of the Frederikshavn factory; the closure was completed on 31 March 2016.

  Aftermath

  Martin's production structure changed and the Frederikshavn manufacturing site ceased operations.

  Source

• 2013

  Harman acquires MartinM&A

  Background

  Martin was owned by Danish industrial company Schouw & Co. before the transaction.

  Action taken

  Harman International Industries acquired Martin, while the Frederikshavn factories were excluded and remained associated with Schouw.

  Aftermath

  Martin became part of Harman's professional solutions activities, with lighting identified as the core business. The Mach brand was separated and later relaunched independently.

  Source

• 2001

  Schouw & Co. takes Martin privateM&A

  Background

  Schouw & Co. had acquired a 60 percent stake in Martin in 1999 and subsequently moved to full ownership.

  Action taken

  Schouw completed the acquisition and Martin was delisted from the Copenhagen Stock Exchange.

  Aftermath

  Martin continued as a privately held industrial business and expanded its production footprint in the following years.

  Source

• 2018

  Elation Professional acquires Martin M-Series[1]Martin Professionalen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Elation Professional acquired Martin's M-Series lighting-controller and software range.

• 2015

  Harman announces Frederikshavn factory closure[1]Martin Professionalen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Harman announced its intention to close Martin's Frederikshavn manufacturing facility; the closure was completed in March 2016.

• 2013

  Harman completes acquisition of Martin[1]Martin Professionalen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Harman International Industries acquired Martin from Schouw & Co.; the Frederikshavn factories were excluded from the transaction.

• 2009

  Martin reports major loss during financial crisis[1]Martin Professionalen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Martin reported a loss exceeding DKK 200 million and reduced employment at its Frederikshavn production sites by 130 positions.

• 2001

  Schouw & Co. completes acquisition and delists Martin[1]Martin Professionalen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  After acquiring a 60 percent stake in 1999, Schouw & Co. fully acquired Martin and removed it from the Copenhagen Stock Exchange.

• 1995

  Martin lists on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange[1]Martin Professionalen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Martin became a publicly traded company and reportedly raised DKK 85.5 million in net proceeds.

1. 1Martin Professionalen.wikipedia.org