Tait (entertainment technology)

Tait (entertainment technology)
Name	Tait
Type	Private
Industry	Entertainment technology
Founded	1980s
Founder	Sir James Tait
Headquarters	Auckland, New Zealand
Area served	Worldwide
Products	Touring audio rigs, stage automation, lighting control, rigging systems

Tait (entertainment technology) is a global provider of production services and equipment for live events, touring concerts, theatrical productions, and themed attractions. The company designs, manufactures, and operates stage systems including automation, staging, rigging, lighting, and audio infrastructure for large-scale events, tours, and installations. Tait works with artists, promoters, venues, and production houses across multiple continents, contributing to major tours, festivals, and installations in arenas, stadiums, theaters, and theme parks.

History

Tait traces its origins to engineering and fabrication enterprises established in New Zealand during the late 20th century, growing alongside international tours such as those by Bruce Springsteen, U2, Madonna, and Paul McCartney. Early expansion saw collaborations with production companies associated with Ticketmaster, Live Nation Entertainment, AEG Presents, and venue operators like Madison Square Garden and Wembley Stadium. Strategic partnerships and acquisitions mirrored moves by firms such as PRG (Production Resource Group), Hamilton Manufacturing, and Clancy Chassé, while project scale increased to rival suppliers used by festivals including Glastonbury Festival, Coachella, and Rock in Rio. Tait’s growth paralleled developments in touring logistics overseen by logistics providers like DHL and FedEx, and technical standards influenced by organizations such as PLASA and IEC.

Products and Technology

Tait’s product suite spans automated stage decks, motorized rigging, flying systems, truss structures, bespoke scenic elements, and integrated control software. Their automation platforms interface with control systems from firms like MA Lighting, Electronic Theatre Controls, Harman, and d&b audiotechnik. Tait integrates motion control solutions comparable to those from Bosch Rexroth and Siemens and employs safety practices aligned with standards promulgated by ISO and ANSI. Their engineering teams collaborate with manufacturers including Arup, WSP Global, and fabricators akin to Amsted Industries for composite and structural elements. Tait’s proprietary software often interoperates with protocols such as DMX512, Art-Net, and sACN and uses networking equipment from Cisco Systems, Juniper Networks, and Arista Networks.

Applications and Installations

Tait systems are installed in arenas, stadiums, theaters, television studios, and themed entertainment venues. High-profile arenas like The O2, Staples Center, and Rod Laver Arena have hosted productions using comparable systems. Theme parks and attractions developed by companies such as Walt Disney Imagineering, Universal Creative, and Merlin Entertainments use automated scenic systems similar to Tait’s offerings. Broadcast events including Super Bowl halftime shows, Eurovision Song Contest, and Academy Awards ceremonies employ stage engineering on par with Tait installations. Tait’s touring equipment supports artists represented by agencies like William Morris Endeavor and Creative Artists Agency.

Company Structure and Ownership

Tait operates as a privately held company with executive leadership including engineering directors, operations managers, and production chiefs, mirroring structures at companies such as Stage Entertainment, Tait Towers (note: distinct entities), and PRG. Ownership and governance models resemble those of family-founded engineering firms and private equity-backed suppliers used across the entertainment supply chain, with board-level oversight similar to corporate governance at Live Nation Entertainment subsidiaries. Strategic investors and creditors often include institutional firms like Bain Capital or KKR in comparable industry transactions, while commercial relationships extend to banks such as HSBC and ANZ for financing of touring assets.

Notable Projects and Collaborations

Tait has participated in large-scale collaborations with event producers, artists, and design firms. Comparable projects include tours and residencies for acts like Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, The Rolling Stones, and Roger Waters, and collaborations with design studios such as Stufish Entertainment Architects, Speirs Major, and Foster + Partners for bespoke stage concepts. Joint ventures with technology companies and rental houses echo partnerships seen between PRG and Meyer Sound Laboratories or between TAIT-like suppliers and scenic manufacturers working for events like London 2012 Olympic Games ceremonies, Rio 2016 Olympic Games ceremonies, and large-scale corporate events for brands like Apple Inc., Samsung, and Google.

Standards, Safety, and Certifications

Tait adheres to international safety standards and certification regimes applicable to live events and structural engineering. Their engineering and operational practices align with standards published by ISO, ANSI, BSI Group, and industry bodies such as PLASA and SEAS. Rigging and lifting procedures reflect guidance from organizations like CIRAS and compliance frameworks similar to those enforced by regulatory authorities including Health and Safety Executive in the United Kingdom and WorkSafe New Zealand. Certifications and inspection regimes often involve third-party firms such as TÜV Rheinland and SGS for structural testing, nondestructive evaluation, and load certification.

Category:Entertainment technology companies Category:Stagecraft