Claypaky
Claypaky is an Italian designer and manufacturer of professional automated lighting fixtures — moving heads, LEDs, and laser-source luminaires — sold through a global distributor network to concert touring, theatre, broadcast, and event production customers worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1976
- HeadquartersBergamo, Italy
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Claypaky does
Claypaky is an Italian professional entertainment lighting manufacturer founded in 1976 and headquartered in Seriate, in the Bergamo manufacturing district. The company designs, engineers, and produces automated lighting fixtures — including moving heads, LED luminaires, IP-rated outdoor units, and laser-source fixtures (notably the Xtylos platform) — used in concert touring, theatre, television and film production, corporate events, and architectural installations worldwide. Its customer base spans rental production houses, broadcasters, venues, and event organizers in over 100 countries, served through a network of regional distributors and dealers.
The core technology stack combines precision optics, motorized mechanics, lamp/LED/laser light sources, and embedded firmware implementing industry-standard lighting control protocols (DMX, Art-Net, sACN, RDM). Recent R&D has extended into connected-fleet capabilities via the CloudIO platform, which adds IoT-based remote diagnostics and telemetry across installed fixture bases. Manufacturing, optical engineering, and product design remain concentrated at the Italian headquarters, while commercial activities are run through country-level distribution partners.
The business model is hardware-driven: Claypaky sells fixtures at premium ASPs (typically low five to low six figures in EUR per unit, depending on tier) through exclusive regional distributors, generating revenue on unit shipment plus aftermarket spares, service, and accessories. CloudIO, if commercialized at scale, introduces a potential recurring software/managed-services revenue layer atop the installed base. Revenue is subject to capex cycles of large rental houses and the broader cadence of live-event and broadcast production capex.
Claypaky firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Claypaky
- Legal name
- Claypaky
- Website
- https://claypaky.it
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1976
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Claypaky is an Italian designer and manufacturer of professional automated lighting fixtures — moving heads, LEDs, and laser-source luminaires — sold through a global distributor network to concert touring, theatre, broadcast, and event production customers worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Claypaky industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Entertainment Lighting
- NAICS
- Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional Electric Lighting Fixture Manufacturing (335132), Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing (3351)
- SIC
- Electric Lighting & Wiring Equipment (3640)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Lighting Design & Rental (MPAGAKAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Lighting Design & Lighting Equipment Rentals (THAHAEAB)
Keywords
Where Claypaky is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bergamo
- HQ country
- Italy
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Claypaky 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 Fixtures Sales: Sale of professional entertainment lighting fixtures including moving heads, effect lights, static lights, and digital products. Products are sold through a global network of distributors and directly to rental companies and production companies.
- CloudIO Digital Services: IoT-based maintenance and diagnostic services for lighting fixtures, including remote assistance and color calibration capabilities.
- Technical Support and Training: Onsite and online training, technical workshops, repair services, and maintenance support for customers.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Claypaky product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Claypaky designs, manufactures, and sells professional entertainment lighting fixtures including LED and laser-sourced moving heads (beam, spot, profile, wash), effect lights, static theatrical lights, and the CloudIO IoT maintenance platform. The company serves professional rental companies, production companies, venues, and event producers worldwide with a portfolio spanning over a dozen product families used in concerts, theatre, television, film, cruise ships, theme parks, and architectural installations.
Product overview
Claypaky is a professional entertainment lighting manufacturer offering a comprehensive portfolio of lighting solutions across four categories: Moving heads (beam, spot, profile, wash), Effect lights (LED battens, strobes, hybrid fixtures), Static lights (Fresnel, Par, cyc lights), and Digital IoT devices (CloudIO maintenance platform). The product lineup includes major families: Arolla (white LED profile/spot/wash moving heads with IP66 Aqua variants), Sharpy/Ultimo (arc-lamp beam and hybrid fixtures), B-Eye/Volero (LED wash/beam/FX with pixel mapping), Xtylos/Skylos (laser-sourced fixtures), Tambora (LED battens with Advanced Layer Management), Mini-B/Midi-B (compact LED beam/wash), Axcor (entry-level white LED moving heads), K-Eye (six-color HCR washlights), Shield Family (IP66 weather-resistant variants), and ADB by Claypaky (theatrical static fixtures). CloudIO is the first IoT/cloud-connected device for the entertainment lighting industry, enabling remote diagnostics, firmware updates, and predictive maintenance across RDM-compliant fixtures.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- Noise reduction up to 7dB while maintaining 90% of light output with LOW-NOISE mode on Ultimo Sharpy
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Claypaky
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments10 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Claypaky technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature12 records
Claypaky partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered regional, core and minor.
- ShowMediaregionalAppointed as new Business Partner for Slovakia, representing the full Claypaky portfolio across the Slovak market. ShowMedia will support lighting professionals in live entertainment, theatre, television, touring, and installation projects.
- DecomacregionalAppointed as official distributor in Brazil, representing a new chapter for Claypaky in the country. The partnership is designed as broader collaboration to reinforce brand's local presence, strengthen technical support, and foster relationships with lighting designers, rental companies, and entertainment professionals.
- TheatrixxregionalAppointed as official distributor in Canada, providing leading presence in the Canadian market for Claypaky's professional entertainment lighting products.
- ACSONregionalAppointed as new exclusive distributor for Spain with solid market presence and decades of experience in professional lighting for entertainment and architectural applications. ACSON is recognized for technical expertise, customer service, and commitment to quality.
- EK Inc.coreARRI announced the sale of its subsidiary Claypaky to EK Inc., a strategic move as part of ARRI's strategic realignment to focus on core business. EK Inc. operates one of the most advanced lighting production and development facilities in the industry, providing a strong foundation for Claypaky's continued growth.
- Clay Paky Deutschland GmbHcoreEstablished as a dedicated local organization to serve as primary contact for all German customers and partners, effective April 1, 2025. This strategic setup demonstrates Claypaky's commitment to investing in the German market and building closer customer relationships.
- EntediregionalOfficial distributor for the United Kingdom, providing Claypaky products and support to the UK market including sponsorship of Cambridge University European Theatre Group.
- Marbo TraderegionalExclusive distributor in Romania, supplying Claypaky fixtures including Arolla Profile MP to National Theatre Bucharest.
- NovoliteregionalOfficial distributor of Claypaky lighting in Peru, hosting exclusive Sharpy Plus Sessions for the local lighting community.
- Hermes Music ProfesionalregionalOfficial exclusive distributor in Mexico, organizing Shield Family Open Days and product demonstrations in the region.
- Inner Circle DistributionregionalUS distribution partner coordinating availability of Ultimo Sharpy through premier rental houses across the country including 4Wall Entertainment, Bandit Lites, Brown Note Productions, and others.
- Politecnico di MilanominorClaypaky supports the Master in Lighting Design and LED Technology program, opening its doors to students for educational purposes and professional development of future lighting professionals.
- LD Talent ClubminorEducational partner supporting young lighting designers through Claypaky's educational initiatives and talent development programs.
- Production FuturesminorEducational partner in Claypaky's initiatives to foster knowledge exchange and support aspiring professionals in the lighting industry.
- ARRIcoreFormer parent company that owned Claypaky. In May 2025, ARRI sold Claypaky to EK Inc. as part of strategic realignment. ARRI continues to focus on its core business while recognizing Claypaky's potential and ensuring its future growth under new ownership.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Claypaky competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- SGM Light: Danish IP-rated LED lighting manufacturer focused on outdoor and architectural applications; competes with Claypaky's Shield Family in IP66/stadium segments.
- ADJ Products: US lighting manufacturer with broad moving-head and effect portfolio serving events, mobile DJs, and mid-tier production; adjacent peer in the same fixtures-and-effects category.
Direct peers
- Martin Professional (HARMAN): Danish-origin professional entertainment lighting manufacturer (now part of HARMAN) offering MAC moving heads and LED fixtures directly competing with Claypaky in touring, theatre, and broadcast.
- ETC (Electronic Theatre Controls): Theatrical lighting, controls, and architectural dimming manufacturer; competes with Claypaky/ADB in theatre static fixtures and increasingly in LED moving heads.
- Elation Professional: US-based manufacturer of moving heads, LED washes, and effect lighting serving concerts, theatre, and rental houses with comparable product categories to Claypaky.
- GLP (German Light Products): German manufacturer of LED moving heads and impression-series fixtures for concerts, TV, and events; comparable German-engineering positioning to Claypaky.
- High End Systems: US-based console and automated lighting manufacturer (now part of ETC) offering Sola-series moving heads competing with Claypaky in theatre, broadcast, and live events.
- Chauvet Professional: US manufacturer of professional LED moving heads, washes, and effects for touring, theatre, and architectural markets, often competing on price-performance against Claypaky.
- ROBE Lighting: Czech-based manufacturer of moving heads, LED fixtures, and effect lights for concert, theatre, and TV; competes head-to-head with Claypaky across Sharpy/Ultimo-class beam and Arolla-class profile categories.
Broad incumbents
- ARRI: Former parent of Claypaky and a broader lighting/camera manufacturer for film, broadcast, and events; competes in the high-end lighting space with SkyPanel and L-series plus now competes with its former subsidiary.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Claypaky social profiles
Digital presenceClaypaky financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Claypaky leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Claypaky funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Claypaky 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 Claypaky
What does Claypaky do?
Claypaky designs, manufactures, and sells professional entertainment lighting fixtures including LED and laser-sourced moving heads (beam, spot, profile, wash), effect lights, static theatrical lights, and the CloudIO IoT maintenance platform. The company serves professional rental companies, production companies, venues, and event producers worldwide with a portfolio spanning over a dozen product families used in concerts, theatre, television, film, cruise ships, theme parks, and architectural installations.
Is Claypaky a public or private company?
Claypaky is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Claypaky founded?
Claypaky was founded in 1976. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Claypaky based?
Claypaky is headquartered in Bergamo, Italy, in the Europe region.
How does Claypaky make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Lighting Fixtures Sales are the primary driver. The others are cloudIO Digital Services and technical Support and Training.
Who are Claypaky's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are SGM Light and ADJ Products. Direct peers are Martin Professional (HARMAN), ETC (Electronic Theatre Controls), Elation Professional, GLP (German Light Products), High End Systems, Chauvet Professional and ROBE Lighting. ARRI is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Claypaky have an API?
No public API is recorded for Claypaky.
What industry is Claypaky in?
Claypaky's product category is Professional Entertainment Lighting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGAKAB, Lighting Design & Rental, with a secondary code of THAHAEAB, Lighting Design & Lighting Equipment Rentals. Its NAICS code is 335132 and its SIC code is 3640.