100 VERLINDE STAGEMAKER motors operated by AED studios Lint, Belgium.

For their ceiling grid equipment, AED’s audiovisual studios were recently equipped with 100 VERLINDE STAGEMAKER SR10 motors to simplify assembly and disassembly operations for shows.

AED group caters for the needs of international players in the audiovisual sector and the realm of live performances both by renting out and selling standardized products embracing the techniques of sound, lighting, image projection and the lifting of stage equipment and by the letting of a complex of fully operational studios for cinema, television and event productions.

A studio complex in the heart of Belgium
AED at Lint, near Antwerp, runs one of Europe’s largest audiovisual production complexes. Covering a surface area of 25,000 m², the company rents out 16,000m² of studios, 4,000m² of offices and can supply any postproduction equipment or facilities required by cinema or TV teams.
The company is very attached to its industrial heritage. In the entrance hall, for the benefit of customers and visitors, are exhibited audiovisual and stage equipment tracing the history of techniques in the industry. Using state-of-the-art museography, it displays lamps, cameras, microphones, mixing desks, image projectors and for the lifting section, the display of Verlinde motors used by AED over many decades, like the first manual screw hoist (1858), the first L104 motor, the LITACHAIN LI5, the STAGEMAKER SM10 range and finally the latest generation of the STAGEMAKER SR line with the SR10.


100 STAGEMAKER SR10 motors at the service of audiovisual productions.
Filip Van Vlem, AED Communication Director, declares: “Energy economy is a major concern for us and the integration of photovoltaic panels in our studios’ roof structures goes hand in hand with the use of STAGEMAKER hoist motors for ceiling grids. They replace energy consuming lifting trucks while providing flexibility, efficacy and time savings for our customers. When a TV programme or film is being produced, studios equipped with these motors enable all equipment mounted on arched supports to be rapidly put in place. STAGEMAKER motors lower the beam on which lighting, microphones, cameras or video projectors used for the performance will be fixed to place them at the right height when required. Using this equipment, adjustments or modifications are fast and easy. Lastly, disassembly by the technical team after performances is very much faster resulting in improved profits for the producer!”

STAGEMAKER SR10, a well thought out decision
Filip Van Vlem: “We have worked closely with VERLINDE for many, many years, both for our rentals business and for the studio equipment business and from time to time we suggest improvements that are integrated in the development of products. Safety is decisive for us because equipment placed in the arched supports by the motors are just above performers, presenters and the public. We can take no risks whatsoever. Le STAGEMAKER SR10, with its lifting capacity of up to 1 tonne, is the first guarantee, backed by the double lifting brake, the torque limiter and the electric limit switch, safety features we consider indispensable. For our operations, hoist speed is not a decisive factor. On the other hand, motors must run smoothly, with or without load, to ensure that equipment fixed on the arched support is not subjected to jerking.
As for the control of motors, we have standardized the type of control panel, there also for the question of safety. We can control motors individually or by groups just by pressing a single button.”


STAGEMAKER above the performance.
Collaboration between VERLINDE and AED goes back a long way and is based on a mutual awareness of needs with an ongoing concern for quality and for the provision of reliable equipment. Since STAGEMAKER motors were installed in the Lint studios, they have operated above the filming of “Iron Sky”, “A quiet passion”, “Aéroport” and the following TV series: “Belgium’s Got Talent”, “So You Think You Can Dance”, “Wouf”. The arched supports of the studios are only their birthplace, that’s for sure!

AED Rent and VERLINDE, partners full of confidence.
The partnership between the two companies is highlighted by the figures that speak for themselves. Currently, motors SR1 (250kg), SR5 (500kg) and SR10 (1 tonne) are available at AED Rent (delivered in compliance with D8+ requirements) and if VRH/PHD manual hoists are included there are more than 5000 VERLINDE products in stock at AED Rent.


VERLINDE:
The leading French manufacturer and exporter of lifting and handling equipment with a constantly upgraded range of 30 series of lifting equipment to handle loads from 60 to 250,000 kg. ISO 9001 quality assurance certified and ISO 14001 EMS certified (environment management system).
In France, Verlinde operates through a sales network, a distributor network, after sales facilities and with travelling crane manufacturers. The EUROPONT network covers France, Belgium and Holland. A Verlinde advisory service is also available in 92 nations around the world.
www.stagemaker.com

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