Market survey: Rental companies
Rental house RG Jones takes Avid desks and Martin Audio MLA system on tour before the Olympics
H6: EVENT SIZE ACTIVITY% in each group 2008-2012 100
Large (audiences 2,000+) Medium (800-2,000) Small (under 800)
20 40 60 80
0 2008
Large (audiences 2,000+) 23.6 Medium (800-2,000) Small (under 800)
22.3 54.1
2009 2010
42.2 29.8 39.7 39.6 18.1
2011 32 38
30.6 30 H7: TOP PRIORITY FOR NEW EQUIPMENT SPEND
10 20 30 40 50 60
would like to purchase if circumstances allowed. DiGiCo’s SD series received multiple namechecks, as did Midas, Yamaha and Soundcraft consoles of various kinds. In terms of potential loudspeaker spend, Adamson emerged as a popular choice (“it’s a very good brand”), while most ambitiously, one interviewee pleaded for “a crystal ball – so I can see into the future”. Well, indeed.
In the final area of enquiry, participants were asked to consider the ways in which they thought rental customers’ expectations of systems and the overall service offer were likely to change during the next 2-3 years. The overall drift of responses can be summarised succinctly as “greater expectations of technology and service – but at lower prices”. As one contributor remarked: “I think people expect more... [they are] always wanting more, so we upgrade the systems to match or exceed the customers’ expectations.” Echoing the sentiment, another suggested that “my customers will expect us to always supply the best we can. The customer wants to hear ‘yes, it’s available.’ We are working very hard to deliver what the client expects within the boundaries of our group of companies.”
The counterpoint to this
determination to satisfy customer wishes is a growing frustration at client-related price pressures. “I think there will be a downwards push on price [at the same time as] the amount of
10 l PSNLIVE 2012
equipment per job is increasing. We will have to evaluate the equipment more carefully to ensure that we get a higher return on each product,” noted one respondent. Another contributor predicted, simply, “more expectation for less price. It will become harder to invest as we are not getting the full return or the value of what the product is worth.” Simultaneously, there were
also expressions of satisfaction at the high quality of current audio systems and a feeling that – after an unpredictable few years – a greater stability is now in prospect.
SUMMARY At a time when the industry was still getting used to the now- perpetual convulsions of the global economy, last year’s hire/rental survey report made for troubling reading. Activity levels were showing signs of decline; there were growing fears about the impact of price worries on quality; and the quickening pace of technological change was raising the bar on investment at precisely the moment when spare funds were dwindling. Twelve months on, the outlook has stabilised and there is a feeling that, while disposable income is undoubtedly at more of a premium, the live sector has got off fairly lightly. And with activity levels remaining high, there is more than enough work to keep most companies on the road throughout the crucial summer/early autumn period. PSNLIVE 2012
Disposable income is under pressure, but there is a feeling that the live sector has got off fairly lightly
0 % of companies 2010-2012
2010 2011 2012
2012 49.4 30.5 20.1
H8: EXPENDITURE FOR STOCK EXPANSION VS UPGRADING % split 2007-2012
100
20 40 60 80
0
“Customers are always wanting more, so we upgrade the systems to match or exceed their expectations” Respondent
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Expansion Upgrading
2007 Expansion ...........58 2007 Upgrading...........42 2008 Expansion ...........53 2008 Upgrading...........47 2009 Expansion ...........47 2009 Upgrading...........53 2010 Expansion ............56 2010 Upgrading............44 2011 Expansion .............39 2011 Upgrading..............61 2012 Expansion.............57 2012 Upgrading ............43
H9: PERMANENT STAFF LEVELS INCREASED OR DECREASED June to June – 2009-2012 Group % of total
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
0
Increase Decrease
June 2009-June 2010 June 2010-June 2011 June 2011-June 2012 16
20 Stay the same 64
31 4
65
48 12
40
www.prosoundnewseurope.com
June 2009-June 2010 June 2010-June 2011 June 2011-June 2012
Consoles Consoles Consoles
Loudspeakers/Amps Loudspeakers/Amps Loudspeakers/Amps
Mics Mics Mics
Cabling/Infrastructure Cabling/Infrastructure Cabling/Infrastructure
Networking/Controllers Networking/Controllers Networking/Controllers
Outboard processing/FX Outboard processing/FX Outboard processing/FX
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