Electronic Theatre Controls
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1974
- HeadquartersMiddleton, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Electronic Theatre Controls does
Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc. (ETC) is a privately held Wisconsin corporation founded in 1974 that designs, manufactures, and distributes professional lighting and rigging systems for entertainment, architectural, commercial, and horticultural markets. The company's product portfolio spans lighting control consoles (the Eos family for theatrical/architectural applications and the Hog family for live events/touring), automated LED fixtures, architectural lighting systems (Paradigm, Unison, Echo, and the acquired Pharos Controls), power distribution equipment (ColorSource Raceway, OneTrack, PowerSafe Series Company Switches), atmospheric effects (HQ-100 hazer and FQ-100 fog generator), and proprietary dichroic filters produced via ion-assisted deposition on borosilicate float glass in 96-inch coating chambers. ETC operates two retained acquired brands: High End Systems (acquired 2007) for entertainment lighting and Pharos Controls (acquired February 2026) for architectural DMX/DALI control.
ETC generates revenue primarily through hardware sales distributed via a global network of authorized dealers and regional sales representatives, with direct e-commerce for replacement parts and consumables. The company serves four primary customer segments: entertainment and live events (theatres, concert venues, touring productions), architectural and commercial lighting (museums, hotels, retail, houses of worship, sports venues), film/studio/broadcast, and horticultural growing via the Rayn Growing Systems sub-brand. Pricing is predominantly quote-based through dealers for enterprise installations; selected accessories and consumables carry published unit prices (e.g., HQ-100 haze fluid at $105, S4 MINI fixture at $465, ARC PRO 8-cell at $2,470). Recent product launches in 2024 include the Response DALI Gateway Mk2, Pharos Express, EchoTouch 3.4, and Multiverse wireless control integration with City Theatrical, indicating ongoing investment across both architectural and entertainment product lines. ETC maintains 1,001-5,000 employees globally with its headquarters and manufacturing facility in Middleton, Wisconsin.
ETC's go-to-market combines a multi-tier distribution model (authorized dealers, regional sales reps, direct e-commerce storefront) with technical content marketing (ETC Learning online training platform, product support forums, video tutorials, and the Fred Foster Student Mentees program). Marketing channels span the company website, community forums, blog ("et cetera"), YouTube (ETCVideoLibrary), and social media presence on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok. Industry events such as LEDucation serve as launch venues for new products. Geographic reach spans 40+ countries across North America, Latin America, Europe/Middle East/Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia, and Australia, supported by localized regional websites and storefronts.
Electronic Theatre Controls firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Electronic Theatre Controls
- Legal name
- Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
- Website
- https://etcconnect.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1974
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Electronic Theatre Controls industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Lighting and Rigging Systems
- NAICS
- Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional Electric Lighting Fixture Manufacturing (335132), Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing for Residential, Commercial, and Appliance Use (334512), Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing (33513)
- SIC
- Electric Lighting & Wiring Equipment (3640), Auto Controls For Regulating Residential & Comml Environments (3822), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Lighting Controls & Building Integration (Drivers, sensors, dimming, lighting control panels, networked lighting) (IMAGAIAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Specialty & Task/Workstation Lighting (Inspection/task lights, cleanroom/food-grade, portable work lights) (IMAGAIAK)
Keywords
Where Electronic Theatre Controls is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Middleton
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Electronic Theatre Controls business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Lighting Equipment & Fixtures: Sale of professional lighting fixtures including LED fixtures, automated fixtures, theatrical luminaires, and entertainment lighting products under the ETC and High End Systems brands.
- Lighting Control Consoles & Software: Sale of Eos and Hog console families, architectural control systems, and associated software licenses for theatre, film, studio, and architectural applications.
- Power Controls & Distribution: Power distribution equipment including ColorSource Raceway, OneTrack, connector strips, company switches, and DIN rail enclosures.
- Atmospherics (Consumables & Equipment): FQ-100 fog generators, HQ-100 hazers, and associated Atmospheres branded haze fluids for theatrical and live event productions.
- Professional Services & Training: Professional services, training programs, online training via ETC Learning, product support, and technical services for installation and configuration.
- Replacement Parts & Accessories: Spare parts, repair components, and accessories available through e-commerce store and authorized dealers, including a Factory Clearance section.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | HQ-100 Haze Fluid |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | ARC PRO LED Fixture |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | S4 MINI Fixture |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Factory Clearance Items |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Electronic Theatre Controls product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Electronic Theatre Controls (ETC) manufactures and sells professional lighting and rigging technology, including lighting control consoles (Eos and Hog families), LED and automated lighting fixtures, architectural lighting control systems (Paradigm, Unison, Echo, Pharos), power distribution equipment, theatrical rigging systems, atmospheric effects generators (HQ-100, FQ-100) and consumables, and dichroic optical filters for entertainment, architectural, broadcast, and horticultural markets.
Product overview
Electronic Theatre Controls (ETC) offers a comprehensive portfolio of lighting and control products spanning entertainment, architectural, commercial, and horticultural markets. The core offering includes lighting control consoles under the Eos and Hog families, automated fixtures, architectural systems, power distribution equipment, and atmospheric effects. The product architecture operates as a unified ecosystem where the console platforms (Eos for architectural/venue control, Hog for live events) interface with distributed hardware including dimmers, distribution equipment, wireless control modules, and fixture families. Recent additions include the acquired Pharos Controls brand for architectural DMX/DALI control, and the Response DALI Gateway for precision architectural lighting management. High End Systems (HES) serves as a sub-brand for automated fixtures and media servers. The portfolio also extends to dichroic filters, rigging systems, networking infrastructure, and the ETC Apps mobile ecosystem for remote system management.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- High End Systems (HES): A subsidiary brand of ETC specializing in automated lighting, LED fixtures, digital lights, media servers, and atmospherics products for the entertainment industry.
- Rayn Growing Systems
Products and services
- Eos Console Family Flagship entertainment lighting control consoles for theatre, film, and studio lighting operations, including the Eos Apex and Eos Ti with proprietary Universal Carrier Board architecture and Augment3d functionality.
- Hog Console Family High End Systems lighting control consoles (Hog 4, Hog 3, Hog 2) used for live events, concert touring, and theatrical lighting operations.
- High End Systems (HES) Fixtures Automated lighting fixtures, LED luminaires, and legacy strobe products under the High End Systems brand for entertainment and architectural applications.
- ColorSource LED Fixtures LED lighting fixtures designed for entertainment and architectural applications, delivering energy-efficient illumination.
- ARC PRO Series Architectural recessed ceiling luminaire series in 8-cell, 4-cell, and 2-cell configurations with various color temperatures and beam angles for commercial lighting.
- S4 MINI Compact ellipsoidal spotlight fixture offering portable lighting solution for theatrical and architectural applications.
- Architectural Control Systems (Paradigm, Unison, Echo) Building-wide lighting control systems including EchoTouch, Response DALI Gateway Mk2, and Unison series for commercial and architectural installations.
- Pharos Architectural Controls Acquired architectural lighting control brand including Pharos Express for DALI and DMX lighting control, and SixEye software for distributed architectural lighting management.
- Response DALI Gateway Mk2 DALI 2 certified gateway providing precision control for DALI-based architectural lighting installations.
- HQ-100 Performance Hazer Professional haze generator for nightclub, theatrical, and touring industries, producing adjustable haze with low noise levels and integrated City Theatrical Multiverse wireless DMX/RDM control.
- FQ-100 Fog Generator Performance fog generator designed for nightclub, theatrical, and touring industries, featuring DMX control, timer settings, and continuous haze capability.
- Atmospheres Haze Fluid Water-based haze fluid specifically formulated for use in the HQ-100 Performance Hazer, consisting of pure ingredients with no additives.
- ColorSource Raceway Distribution strip system allowing users to build customized power and data distribution for lighting installations.
- OneTrack by ETC Track lighting system providing flexibility, capability, and reliability for integrating track lighting into architectural installations.
- PowerSafe Series Company Switches Power distribution switches providing enhanced power access with protection against access to output connections while the cabinet is energized.
- Gridiron Junction Boxes Versatile junction boxes for electrical connections that can be mounted in any orientation for custom lighting projects.
- Dichroic Filters Optical thin film filters deposited on borosilicate float glass substrates for entertainment lighting, architectural lighting, and scientific applications, providing pure color transmission.
- Axon Media Servers Digital lighting and media server products for video playback and integration in live productions.
- Rigging Systems Theatrical rigging systems including counterweight rigging, hoist systems, and rigging controls for entertainment venues.
- Rayn Growing Systems Horticultural lighting systems brand under ETC for controlled environment agriculture and indoor/outdoor growing applications.
- Professional Services & Training Professional services, training programs, online training via ETC Learning, product support, and technical services for lighting system installation and configuration.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 90% energy savings achieved through LED upgrades
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Electronic Theatre Controls
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Electronic Theatre Controls technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature8 records
Electronic Theatre Controls partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Pharos Controls LtdcorePharos Controls Ltd, along with SixEye Ltd, was acquired by Electronic Theatre Controls. The transaction completes a 20-year collaboration during which Pharos contributed significantly to ETC's architectural product line. Pharos Express for DALI and DMX lighting control was introduced at LEDucation following the acquisition. The deal was facilitated by Osborne Clarke's M&A expertise.
- SixEye LtdminorSixEye Ltd, along with parent Pharos Controls Ltd, was acquired by Electronic Theatre Controls as part of the same transaction. SixEye software is part of the Pharos architectural controls portfolio.
- Osborne ClarkeminorOsborne Clarke law firm advised the shareholders of Pharos Controls Ltd and SixEye Ltd on their sale to Electronic Theatre Controls, providing M&A advisory services.
- City TheatricalcoreCity Theatrical's Multiverse wireless DMX/RDM technology is integrated into the HQ-100 Performance Hazer by High End Systems. Multiverse broadcasts up to 10 universes of DMX from a single transmitter while minimizing radio energy to avoid disrupting other wireless systems in venues.
- LightPartsminorLightParts provides service and support for legacy High End Systems products that are no longer actively shipped by ETC. Contact information available at www.lightparts.com. Products include legacy consoles (Hog 3, Full Boar 3, etc.), fixtures, and media servers.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Electronic Theatre Controls competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Signify (Philips Lighting): Global lighting leader (formerly Philips Lighting) with broad portfolios in professional, architectural, entertainment (Strand), and horticultural lighting. Overlaps with ETC across multiple categories but operates at much larger scale.
- Acuity Brands: Large North American lighting and building solutions company covering architectural fixtures, lighting controls, and connected lighting. Comparable to ETC's architectural lighting and controls portfolio but at significantly larger scale.
- Lutron Electronics: Dominant US-based manufacturer of architectural lighting controls and shading systems. Directly comparable to ETC's Paradigm, Unison, Echo, and now Pharos architectural control lines serving commercial buildings and high-end residential.
- Strand Lighting (a Signify business): Heritage theatrical and architectural lighting brand now part of Signify. Long-standing direct competitor to ETC in theatre consoles, dimmers, and architectural lighting controls.
Direct peers
- Chauvet Professional: US-based manufacturer of professional lighting fixtures, consoles, and atmospherics for entertainment, touring, and architectural markets. Direct overlap with ETC across fixtures, control, and atmospheric effects categories.
- GLP (German Light Products): German manufacturer of automated LED lighting fixtures for entertainment, touring, and TV/film. Comparable product range and target customer base to ETC's automated fixtures portfolio.
- Robe Lighting: Czech-based manufacturer of automated and LED entertainment lighting fixtures, moving heads, and consoles. Closely comparable to ETC's High End Systems and Source Four product lines serving the same theatre, touring, and broadcast customers.
- Martin Professional (Harman International): Danish heritage entertainment and architectural lighting manufacturer now owned by Harman (Samsung). Competes head-to-head with ETC in automated fixtures, consoles, and architectural lighting installations.
- Elation Professional: US-based professional lighting manufacturer offering moving heads, LED fixtures, consoles, and atmospherics for entertainment and architectural applications. Comparable product breadth and customer overlap with ETC.
Emerging players
- Crestron Electronics: US-based provider of AV, building automation, and lighting control systems for commercial and high-end residential. Increasingly overlapping with ETC's architectural controls business, especially after the Pharos acquisition.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Electronic Theatre Controls social profiles
Digital presenceElectronic Theatre Controls compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance8 records
Electronic Theatre Controls financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Electronic Theatre Controls leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
Electronic Theatre Controls subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Electronic Theatre Controls funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Electronic Theatre Controls M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Electronic Theatre Controls
What does Electronic Theatre Controls do?
Electronic Theatre Controls (ETC) manufactures and sells professional lighting and rigging technology, including lighting control consoles (Eos and Hog families), LED and automated lighting fixtures, architectural lighting control systems (Paradigm, Unison, Echo, Pharos), power distribution equipment, theatrical rigging systems, atmospheric effects generators (HQ-100, FQ-100) and consumables, and dichroic optical filters for entertainment, architectural, broadcast, and horticultural markets.
Is Electronic Theatre Controls a public or private company?
Electronic Theatre Controls is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Electronic Theatre Controls founded?
Electronic Theatre Controls was founded in 1974. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Electronic Theatre Controls based?
Electronic Theatre Controls is headquartered in Middleton, United States, in the North America region.
How does Electronic Theatre Controls make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Lighting Equipment & Fixtures are the primary driver. The others are lighting Control Consoles & Software, power Controls & Distribution, atmospherics (Consumables & Equipment), professional Services & Training and replacement Parts & Accessories.
Who are Electronic Theatre Controls's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Signify (Philips Lighting), Acuity Brands, Lutron Electronics and Strand Lighting (a Signify business). Direct peers are Chauvet Professional, GLP (German Light Products), Robe Lighting, Martin Professional (Harman International) and Elation Professional. Crestron Electronics is listed as an emerging player.
Does Electronic Theatre Controls have an API?
No public API is recorded for Electronic Theatre Controls.
What industry is Electronic Theatre Controls in?
Electronic Theatre Controls's product category is Professional Lighting and Rigging Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGAIAI, Lighting Controls & Building Integration (Drivers, sensors, dimming, lighting control panels, networked lighting), with a secondary code of IMAGAIAK, Specialty & Task/Workstation Lighting (Inspection/task lights, cleanroom/food-grade, portable work lights). Its NAICS code is 335132 and its SIC code is 3640.