Thomas Riedel takes ownership of ARRI, aligns with Riedel Group

Thomas Riedel has acquired ARRI, the Munich-based manufacturer of camera and lighting technology for film and live production, marking the largest acquisition of his career.

Riedel, founder and owner of Riedel Communications and the Riedel Group, was selected through an international process based on his proposal for the company’s future.

The acquisition creates a strategic alignment between ARRI and the Riedel Group, combining expertise across the production chain from image capture to signal distribution, the company said.

Founded in 1917, ARRI has remained family-owned and has received 20 scientific and technical awards from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The company is widely known for its camera systems, lighting technology and production tools.

“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 companies said the partnership is expected to expand opportunities in live entertainment and sports production. ARRI’s camera systems will be deployed at the Eurovision Song Contest as part of an initial collaboration, where Riedel serves as the technology provider and NEP oversees production.

ARRI will continue to operate independently under its existing management team and remain headquartered in Munich.

“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.”

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

“My entrepreneurial path has been closely tied to ARRI for years,” said Thomas Riedel. “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.”