The deal establishes ‘a close strategic alignment’ between the iconic cinema brand and the Riedel Group
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. Riedel was chosen in a competitive international process with his concept for a new home for ARRI, marking the largest acquisition of his career to date.
Under the new ownership of Thomas Riedel, ARRI’s existing management team will continue to lead the company. The company will retain independent operations and remain headquartered in Munich.
“My entrepreneurial path has been closely tied to ARRI for years,” says Thomas Riedel, Founder and Owner, Riedel Group. “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.”
The Riedel Group specializes in advanced audio, video, and data technology, delivering infrastructure solutions for broadcast, live event, and sports productions. Through the acquisition of ARRI, Thomas Riedel establishes what he calls “a close strategic alignment between ARRI and the Riedel Group, expanding its expertise across the entire production chain — from camera optics to distribution.” According to Riedel’s announcement, ARRI’s ecosystem of camera, lighting, and systems technology complements the Riedel Group’s existing portfolio and opens up new technological and strategic market opportunities for both companies.
From left to right: Christian Richter, Managing Director, ARRI; Frank Eischet, CFO, Riedel; Thomas Riedel, Group CEO, Riedel; David Bermbach, Managing Director, ARRI; Christiph Stahl, member of the founding family, ARRI
Founded in 1917, ARRI has been family-owned ever since and is regarded as a global leader in professional film technology, having been recognized with 20 scientific and technical awards from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
“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,” says Dr. Walter Stahl, Managing Director, ARRI GmbH and member of the founding family.
Through close collaboration, ARRI and Riedel aim to unlock new areas of growth, especially in live entertainment and sports. By combining their respective technologies, the companies plan to develop integrated solutions for customers. As the first joint milestone of this collaboration, ARRI will debut its camera technology at the Eurovision Song Contest, where Riedel serves as the technology provider and NEP oversees production.
“Thomas Riedel has built a first-generation family business and stands for entrepreneurial continuity and long-term thinking,” says Chris Richter, Managing Director, 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,” says David Bermbach, Managing Director, ARRI. “This strengthens our strategic direction as a ‘Trusted Technology Leader for the Next Generation of Media and Entertainment.’”