Robe Company History
1990-1993
Ladislav Petřek had started importing PAR cans, mirror balls and other lighting equipment from Germany, and spotted a growing market for lighting installations opening up post Velvet Revolution. He then started to design and build sound activated lighting effects, which were marketed through his company ProLux. Josef Valchář was recruited as a Sales Manager. In 1993 they started to design their first Scans.
- Dominator 1200 XT
1994
Valchář had his sights on developing an entire product range and selling into other parts of Europe, and so the two decided to collaborate in this joint venture – and Robe Show Lighting was born. Robe’s first Frankfurt ProLight & Sound exhibition scored their first OEM customer – Steinigke Showtechnic GmbH. Robe’s initial products were scanners and sound activated fixtures. Also their ‘Dominator’ effect broke new ground in using the first generation of servo motors, and all Robe products were made DMX controllable from this point onwards.
1995
Rimini 1995 saw the launch of new scanners, using the first generation of stepper motors – upping the success and reliability stakes. By this time, Robe had expanded rapidly to 25 people and bought their current 1.000 square metre office premises in Hážovice. Manufacturing and administration both moved into that building.
1999
A period of steady and sustainable growth culminated in the next technological breakthrough – the introduction of the 250 Spot and Wash moving heads. After bringing these products to the market, Robe was approached by Coemar to produce an entire range of products under the TAS brand name, which was launched at PLASA that year as the “Millennium” range. This quality and cost-effective product proved a massive success, and also introduced Robe to a whole new strata of clients.
2000
In 2000 Robe started to work for Movietec (Germany), Starway (France) and Sagitter in Italy – to produce moving lights for these companies as an OEM manufacturer. The Millennium was an incredible year for Robe and saw the tripling of their previous annual turnover to 20 million DM.
2001
In January 2001, Robe acquired its current factory premises (then 5,000 square metres) in Valašské Meziříčí. It was completely gutted and modernised and production moved in during November.
2002
The landmark year in which ‘Robe’ launched as a brand in its own right at the SIB exhibition in Rimini. PLASA 2002 saw the launch of Robe‘s latest generation of moving lights – the AT (Advanced Technology) Series which was to become a flagship product during the first decade of the 21st century. Robe’s distributor network expanded to include over 50 countries.
2003
Robe UK Ltd., Robe America and Robe Italia established – set up to exclusively supply and market the rapidly expanding Robe brand in these regions. Robe’s ColorSpot and ColorWash 1200 AT Series was launched and fast became one of its most popular products, and a cornerstone of the AT Series.
- Factory building
2005
Robe S.E.A. was established in Singapore to operate as a sales and support office integrating and co-ordinating Robe’s rapidly expanding business in South East Asia. A 4 Million Euro refurbishment of the factory at Valašské Meziříčí was completed, which saw it expanded to 14,000 square metres, including 6,000 metres of manufacturing and warehouse facilities. Robe also acquired another 13,000 square metre site adjacent to the main building, including 4,000 square metres of production space. Anolis – Robe’s architectural LED lighting brand was established.
2006
- ColorSpot 2500E AT
Launch of the powerful ColorSpot 2500E AT fixture – Robe’s largest spot fixture to date. PLASA saw launch of 12 dynamic new products including the StageQube 324 and the 700 Series of moving lights.
2007
Robe America was renamed “Robe Lighting Inc.” May 2007 the new 1,800 square metre R ‘n’ D Centre was opened at Valašské Meziříčí. At PLASA, Robe Show Lighting became “Robe lighting” and the company was completely rebranded, reflecting the diversification of its product range and markets.
- DigitalSpot 3000 DT
2008
Thinking to the future, and noting the increasing trend of integration between the visual mediums of lighting and video by designers of all types, Robe launched its new DT series of digital moving lights. This was accompanied by a worldwide roadshow - "The Future is Digital". Robe's R'n'D department was also busy working on the forthcoming ROBIN range of products - the first lighting fixtures in the world to utilise the revolutionary plasma lamp technology.
2009
- Dioflex
Robe initiated a substantial expansion programme which included the acquisition of PCB production company Dioflex, its long term electronic parts supplier based in Roznov. 3.5 million Euros was invested in building a completely new Logistics Centre and in doubling its warehouse space to nearly 4,000 square metres. The latest factory expansion project houses a purpose-built Plastics Moulding Centre which covers about 1000 square metres, equipped with all necessary state-of-the-art machinery involved in this process. Frankfurt 2009 saw the preview of the first ROBIN products using the plasma lamp and 5 new ROBIN products launched at PLASA.
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