GLOBAL: Golden Sea has acquired a majority stake in Follow-Me, bringing the Dutch performer-tracking specialist into the Chinese live entertainment technology group’s portfolio while allowing it to retain its independent status. The agreement was concluded on 8 September and gives Follow-Me access to Golden Sea’s engineering resources, manufacturing capacity and international network as it looks to accelerate development and expand the reach of its tracking technology.

The combination brings Golden Sea’s entertainment lighting technology together with Follow-Me’s fixture-agnostic performer tracking systems, spanning applications across touring, events, theatre, broadcast, themed entertainment and permanent installations. The companies see the move as a way to extend Follow-Me’s reach into new market segments and make its tracking systems accessible to a broader user base.

Now in its tenth year, Follow-Me has built its business around tracking systems designed to work independently of lighting fixture brands. Its portfolio includes the Track-iT auto tracking system and DELT∆, its latest generation of manual performer tracking technology.

“Access to Golden Sea’s global engineering resources, facilities and international network, provides us with the platform to deliver even more for our customers,” say Erik Berends and Marc van der Wel. “Our partners, customers and employees will all benefit from the momentum this brings to the live entertainment market.”

For Golden Sea, the acquisition forms part of a broader strategy to assemble a portfolio of complementary specialist brands. “This agreement truly underpins our strategy to architect a portfolio of complementary brands, each at the top of its game,” adds Christopher Agius Ferrante, Vice-President Golden Sea, responsible for overseas subsidiaries. “We warmly welcome Follow-Me into the Golden Sea family.”

Follow-Me will remain headquartered in the Netherlands, with its existing team staying in place and further expansion planned. Erik Berends continues as Co-founder and Technical Director, while Marc van der Wel remains Managing Director. Co-founder Gary Yates, who has played a central role in building Follow-Me, will step down as Director but remain as a close advisor to the board.

The acquisition gives Follow-Me a new level of industrial and engineering capacity without changing its independent identity or Dutch base. For Golden Sea, meanwhile, the addition brings a specialist performer-tracking technology into its portfolio, extending its reach beyond lighting and further into the wider production technology ecosystem.