GB
The Adam Hall Story
A rock ’n’ roll success story: over 45 years of Adam Hall.
A rock ’n’ roll success story: over 45 years of Adam Hall.
In 1975, Mr Adam Hall founded Adam Hall Ltd. in the English city of Southend-on-Sea (near London) as a manufacturer of high-quality, robust flight case fittings. Today, more than 45 years later, Adam Hall Group has developed into a global manufacturer and distributer, with comprehensive solutions for the event technology industry. Since then, numerous new brands have been developed and created at the current company location in Neu-Anspach, Hesse, Germany. As an international distribution company and service provider for more than 30 well-known brands, Adam Hall Group has been impressing its customers and business partners with its strong and sustainable concepts for decades. For the innovative and diverse event industry.
1975
Start me up – The ah-ha effect
He really does exist! 1975 – Mr. Adam Hall founded "Adam Hall Ltd." in a small building in Southend-On-Sea, near London, England.
And that's how it all started ...
Although the business was incorporated in 1975, it had a humble beginning in Mr. Adam Hall’s spare rooms in the early seventies, at #15 Electric Avenue, Westcliff-on-Sea.
In 1972, in the age of 23, Mr. Adam Hall was married to his wife. With a 4-year old disabled daughter he had to supply for the family working for the local council as a bus conductor, selling tickets on public transport buses at a very early stage in his life.
His social circle and friends were not so responsible though, and many formed bands (e.g. Cow Pie, Kursaal Fliers, Eddie & The Hot Rods, etc.) So, his existing fascination with music performance was stimulated.
That year, a friend of Adam was working for the UK contract manufacturer of the cabinets for Harrison amplifiers, Hi-Watt and Orange Speaker boxes. In an informal conversation, he was invited to make a competitive quotation for the castors being fitted to H|H combo amplifiers. To his astonishment, he won this contract, and the business that became Adam Hall Supplies Ltd., was founded. It was the very first of the niche component suppliers to the musical equipment manufacturing industry within the UK.
And that's how it all started ...
The following year, whilst making a delivery of cabinet parts to a music dealer in Rochester in Kent, he met the man who would become David Kirby. The meeting was only tangential but was the fore-runner for the partnership in Adam Hall GmbH, the actual mother-company.
1980
Music in the veins –
quite German with British roots
An English musician brings Adam Hall to Germany. 1980 – David Kirby founds Adam Hall GmbH in Oberlauken, Hesse. He enjoys the opportunity to provide people in Germany with professional event technology and flight case fittings from England, which at the time was a leading market.
Musician David Kirby, born in Kent, England, discovered his love for Germany in the 1970s during his many tours. He then found his second home in Taunus, Hesse. After arriving in Germany, the now Executive Chairman of the Adam Hall Group founded Adam Hall GmbH in the 1980s, which at that time was a sister firm of Adam Hall Ltd., which had been founded by Mr. Adam Hall near London 5 years earlier. In the years that followed, David took on a majority stake in the whole company and, with drive and determination, started building up the Adam Hall brand. In the 33 years that ensued, he was responsible for the successful journey of the Adam Hall Group as the sole managing director. As part of the forward-looking management buy-out that he planned in 2013, which resulted in today's managing directors Alexander Pietschmann (Chief Executive Officer) and Markus Jahnel (Chief Operating Officer) purchasing the majority of his shares in the company, David is still involved in important strategic issues as an Investor.
Watch his story HERE
1984
Modern IT is standard –
eBusiness at Adam Hall
Adam Hall drew on the digital support of a Nixdorf Comet Top computer at a very early stage – long before the Internet, ERP or even CRM were standard.
1986
Cultural understanding -
Asian procurement expertise
In order to guarantee quality, competitiveness and to foster relationships with our factories and supplier network, Adam Hall founded its own "Procurement office" in Taiwan and China in 1986.
1989
Adam Hall DNA -
continuity and reliability
Markus Jahnel has known David Kirby since 1983 as he also comes from Oberlauken, where Adam Hall GmbH was founded. Having started out working there as a helper, he has been on board since almost the very start and has watched and helped Adam Hall expand. After completing his high school diploma, an apprenticeship to become a publisher and military service, Markus Jahnel first joined the Adam Hall sales team in 1989. In the following years he put his heart and soul into expanding the entire product range and sales department.
1990
Bigger is better –
more space was needed
After the initial relocation to Usingen in 1983, Adam Hall GmbH then acquired bigger premises in Neu-Anspach.
1990
Palmer® Pro & MI –
From Germany to the world
Founded in 1980 by Martin Schmitz – it joined the Adam Hall family in 1990. Since starting out more than 40 years ago, Palmer has evolved into an internationally renowned "insider tip" in the music and audio industry. Palmer was the first port of call whenever local musicians needed professional repair work, individual modifications to their instruments and amplifiers or "little helpers", that no other manufacturer sold. Palmer gained valuable experience from these very practice-focused contacts. Musicians and audio technicians value this experience and hold the brand in high regard for its top-quality sound, reliable functionality and precise detail.
1992
Perfect partners:
Eminence and Adam Hall
In 1966, Bob Gault established Eminence, now the world’s largest speaker manufacturer. Adam Hall is also the perfect European distribution partner.
1993
Ready to rock –
Germany becomes the headquarters
After 13 years, David Kirby took over the English Ltd. and turned the German branch in Neu-Anspach into the company headquarters. 1998 – Company acquired bigger premises again.
1997
DEFENDER® cable protectors – Industry and event standard
Originally used to protect electricity cables and to avoid people tripping over at rock concerts, Defender® cable protection systems have now become standard for several applications in industrial, commercial and public areas. Defender® products, which are designed and manufactured in Germany, are patented worldwide and made from especially robust, recyclable TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane).
1998
Digital early starter –
adamhall.com goes online
Gone were the days when the catalogue was the only form of presentation Adam Hall launched its Adam Hall B2B online shop in 1998 – one of the first companies in the Rock ‘n‘ Roll-influenced market to do so. It was a real novelty for a manufacturer and the wholesale sector. The website fulfilled all the wishes of our merchants and flight case makers, and allowed us to reach a wider audience and made searching easier.
2004
LD Systems® -
Pro Audio in motion
Made in Germany, listened to worldwide! Within a decade, LD Systems® became a major pro audio brand with an extensive range of product lines. The expert LD engineering team and highly motivated personnel are continuously engaged in creating advanced, state-of-the-art audio equipment that provides superior sonic performance and exceptional value. The LD Systems CURV 500® series, launched in 2015 – quickly won a range of prestigious innovation and design awards.
2006
New dynamics
Whilst studying economic law, Alexander Pietschmann already established two start-ups in the events sector. After starting at the Adam Hall Group in 2006, he assumed responsibility for the development of the marketing and IT department. Over the following years, and with great passion and commitment, he took over more and more strategic responsibility for the entire company development.
2008
Central working –
Adam Hall merges all European activities
Relocation to Daimlerstraße. The new Adam Hall GmbH European logistics centre was completed. Having an area of approx. 20,000 m², it comprises a warehouse of 6,500 m² plus 1,000 m² for the value added services, 2,500 m² across 3 floors for administration, and a showroom.
2011
CAMEO® Light –
always on the move
Within a few years, Cameo® became an important brand for professional lighting equipment. Our portfolio currently includes innovative LED lighting products and accessories for a wide variety of applications – from small clubs and architecture projects to complex rigs at large events.
2013
A life's work is safe -
next generation takes over
After 33 years at the top, David Kirby passed on the baton as part of the succession plan. Markus Jahnel and Alexander Pietschmann became the new managing directors of the Adam Hall Group and acquired stakes in the company as part of an MBO. David Kirby has remained Executive Chairman of the company.
2014
Adam Hall works with the Rolling Stones®
The “World’s Greatest Rock ’n’ Roll Band of All Time”, The Rolling Stones, collaborated with Adam Hall and released a very limited-edition cable line. It didn't just bear the band's name, it also perfectly transmitted the band's high standards to the needs of every musician.
2014
Rocking all over the world -
Adam Hall goes international
Adam Hall GmbH expands into Asia. Since Adam Hall Asia Pte Ltd was founded in Singapore, the company has put further focus on the Asian market.
2015
Closer to the customer –
Our showrooms multiply
Adam Hall celebrates the successful opening of two showrooms in Singapore and Barcelona. Here, the visitor is treated to a sales area of up to 1,000 sq. m displaying the whole world of Adam Hall and its brands.
Take a virtual Showroom Tour:
> 360°-View Singapore
> 360°-View Barcelona
2015
Gravity® stands –
Highly attractive
Following two years of intense development work with users and top designers, the result was a sophisticated core range of musicians' stands and accessories. The Gravity® brand uses multiple innovations, such as a customizable tag concept and a consistent focus on design, to challenge the often outdated image of accessories. The microphone stands have already won the internationally renowned Red Dot and IF Award in 2016.
2016
Many brands – one identity
Adam Hall has now started presenting itself as the Adam Hall Group as part of an internationalization plan. This new focus is accompanied by a complete relaunch of the B2B web shop, the implementation of a Corporate Group website and a newly designed international trade fair concept.
2016
Investing in the future – new horizons
The construction of two new building complexes at its corporate headquarters shows that the Adam Hall Group has a clear eye on the future. The Experience Center and a logistics park with a further improved quality and value-added services area are created.
2017
Customer focus –
expanded service areas
The new Logistics Park increases existing storage capacity to 14,000 square metres. In October, 10,000 pallet spaces and 17,000 container spaces became available in the automated small parts warehouse. The new service centre covers an area of 400 square metres.
2018
Adam Hall-Str. 1 – a new address for the industry
The new Experience Center at Adam Hall-Str. 1 offers business customers, partners, associations, employees and the industry a fully equipped showroom, a large auditorium, premises for the new Adam Hall Academy and the company restaurant "Come Together". The integrated research and development area features an anechoic measuring room, various endurance and climatic test rigs, a photometric laboratory and workshops for modelling and 3D prototyping.
2018
Hello USA
Another milestone in the company's history: the successful founding of Adam Hall North America Inc. The company and its event technology solutions are now present in the USA and Canada. After merging with the former sales partner Musical Distributors Group (MDG), the sales experience of the North American team has been combined with the logistical and marketing strengths of the Group. This means that the North American market is now being offered the complete package.
2019
Setting the Course for a Digital Future
Andreas Modschiedler named new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of the Adam Hall Group In the newly created management position, Andreas will strengthen the executive board and be responsible for IT and Research & Development. Since stepping into the role of Head of IT & Digital in December 2016, Andreas Modschiedler has led the IT department and stewarded the progressive digitalization of in-house business processes. In his new role as CTO, Modschiedler will be working on implementing a group wide digitalization & technology strategy.
2020
Yes, We love LIVE!
The Pandemic was the biggest crises for the live music & event industry since years. For us, it was already evident at the beginning of the crisis: as an industry, we can only overcome these times by supporting one another. Since March 2020, we have launched a wide range of formats and, at the same time, supported various initiatives so that the entire event industry emerges stronger after this difficult period. #WeBelieveInLive!
More Infos
2022
Say hello to LD Systems® MAILA®
MAILA® (Modular All-Round Intelligent Line-Array) is a scalable sound reinforcement system that sets new standards in its diversity and flexibility. Also, with the patented EasySplay® mechanism and many other clever features, MAILA takes user-friendliness in the line array sector to a whole new level. The result is a big, scalable sound for almost any application. After 5 years of intensive R&D work the system marks an important next milestone in the LD Systems brand history.
Experience the System
2022
Cameo® illuminates the Queen’s 70th anniversary
Over 600 Cameo lighting fixtures lights up the Queen's 70th Jubilee at the Buckingham Palace. Watched by almost 1 billion people worldwide it was a not only great show with artists like Queen, Rod Stewart, Alicia Keys and Ed Sheeran played, it was an incredible honor to be chosen as a supplier at one of the last live events Queen Elizabeth II was present.