GLOBAL: In a move set to reshape the contours of the global media and entertainment technology landscape, Thomas Riedel, founder and owner of Riedel Communications and the Riedel Group, has acquired ARRI, the Munich-based premium manufacturer of camera and lighting technology for motion picture and live entertainment. Selected through a competitive international process, Riedel’s vision for ARRI marks the most significant acquisition of his career to date and signals a powerful convergence of two technology-driven legacies.

The Riedel Group, widely recognised for its expertise in advanced audio, video, and data infrastructure across broadcast, live events, and sports productions, now aligns strategically with ARRI’s renowned ecosystem of camera, lighting, and systems technology. The acquisition effectively expands Riedel’s reach across the entire production chain—from image capture to signal distribution—unlocking new opportunities for integrated workflows and next-generation production solutions.

Founded in 1917, ARRI has remained a family-owned company for over a century and is globally regarded as a benchmark in professional film technology, with 20 scientific and technical awards from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences underscoring its legacy of innovation. “For more than a century, ARRI has stood for engineering excellence, innovation, and the highest quality. This success story will now continue and remain in German ownership,” said Dr. Walter Stahl, Managing Director of ARRI GmbH and member of the founding family.

The strategic alignment between ARRI and the Riedel Group is expected to open new avenues of growth, particularly across live entertainment and sports production. By combining complementary technologies, both organisations aim to develop tightly integrated solutions that expand creative and technical possibilities for users. A first glimpse of this collaboration will be seen at the Eurovision Song Contest, where ARRI’s camera technology will be deployed alongside Riedel’s infrastructure, with NEP overseeing production.

Importantly, ARRI will continue to operate independently under its existing management structure, retaining its headquarters in Munich while advancing its ongoing transformation under new ownership. “Thomas Riedel has built a first-generation family business and stands for entrepreneurial continuity and long-term thinking,” said Chris Richter, Managing Director of ARRI. “We look forward to working with a successful entrepreneur and to the resulting market opportunities and access — both in existing and new markets.”

“The Riedel Group brings highly complementary technologies and extensive expertise in live production to this partnership,” added David Bermbach, Managing Director of ARRI. “This strengthens our strategic direction as a ‘Trusted Technology Leader for the Next Generation of Media & Entertainment.’”

For Thomas Riedel, the acquisition is both strategic and deeply personal. “My entrepreneurial path has been closely tied to ARRI for years,” he stated. “This acquisition represents the most significant personal milestone of my career so far. I have great respect for this exceptional brand, its outstanding products, and its strong team. At the same time, I see tremendous potential and am confident that, together, we can position ARRI for long-term stability and future success.”