SSE Audio Group

What SSE Audio Group does

SSE Audio Group operates as the UK subsidiary of Canadian-headquartered Solotech Group, delivering professional audiovisual services across equipment rental, equipment sales, systems integration, managed services, crew staffing, and studio rental. Founded in 1976 and now rebranded under the Solotech identity, the company describes itself as the largest UK supplier in the audiovisual sector, with three regional offices in Redditch, Heywood, and Park Royal supporting nationwide coverage. Its customer base is segmented across Business Solutions (corporate events, retail, and enterprises), Institutions and Communities (healthcare, government, education, transportation, and houses of worship), and Media and Entertainment (music touring, live venues, broadcast, film, sports venues, and creative studios).

The company's technology platform combines physical audiovisual inventory (audio, video, lighting, and accessories sold through its e-commerce shop at shop.solotech.com) with a software layer that includes the LiveSphere streaming platform for live event broadcasting, the Axess online portal for service management, and Service+ real-time monitoring for installed AV systems. Systems integration spans videoconferencing and collaboration systems, Microsoft Teams Rooms integration, digital signage and video walls, projection, command and control centres, audio systems and acoustics, architectural lighting, broadcast and streaming infrastructure, and rigging. Managed services are delivered through multi-year service plans, repair workshops, and a dedicated Microsoft Teams Rooms helpdesk.

Revenue is generated through usage-based equipment rental, hardware sales via the e-commerce storefront, project-based professional services for systems integration and crew solutions, and recurring managed service contracts. Go-to-market is sales-led with field sales presence through the three UK offices targeting enterprise clients in live event production and systems integration, complemented by direct-to-customer equipment sales through the online shop. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is custom-quoted based on project scope, equipment specification, and contract duration. The company currently employs between 251 and 500 people and operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Solotech Group.

Name

SSE Audio Group

Legal name

SSE Audio Group

Website

https://sseaudio.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

SSE Audio Group, operating as Solotech UK, is the largest UK audiovisual services supplier, offering equipment rental, sales, systems integration, managed services, crew staffing, and studios to corporate, institutional, and entertainment clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Audiovisual Services

NAICS

Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512), Sound Recording Studios (512240), Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (33431)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Equipment Rental & Leasing (7350), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Production (7819), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Backline & Musical Instrument Rentals (Concert/Performance Support) (THAHAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Audio-Visual Equipment Rentals (Sound, Projection, Screens) (HSACAFAF), Hybrid/Virtual Meetings Production & AV Services (THACAFAM), Pro Audio Equipment (Mics, Interfaces, Mixers, Studio Monitors) (MPAIAJAB)

Keywords

• Professional audio rental
• Live event production
• AV systems integration
• Managed AV services
• Audio equipment hire

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Equipment Rental/Hire: Sound, video, and lighting equipment rental for live events, tours, and productions. Core business since 1976.
2. Equipment Sales: Sale of audio, video, lighting equipment and accessories through e-commerce shop
3. Systems Integration: Design and installation of audiovisual systems for venues, corporate facilities, and institutions
4. Managed Services: Ongoing service plans, repair workshops, and maintenance services for AV equipment
5. Crew Solutions: Technical crew staffing for live events and productions
6. Studios Rental: Professional studio rental for recordings and productions

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SSE Audio Group provides professional audiovisual solutions to UK clients, renting out audio, lighting, video and rigging equipment, delivering live event production services, designing and installing permanent AV systems in venues, and operating long-term on-site managed AV services. Customers range from touring artists, broadcasters and corporates to education, theatre, sports, worship and public sector venues.

Product overview

SSE Audio, now part of Solotech Group, operates as a comprehensive audiovisual technology provider offering a platform of products and services. The portfolio consists of three main pillars: (1) Live Productions covering audio, video, touring lighting, crew solutions, the LiveSphere streaming platform, and studios rental; (2) Systems Integration including videoconferencing, Microsoft Teams Rooms, digital signage, projection, command & control centres, audio systems & acoustics, architectural lighting, broadcast and streaming, rigging and infrastructures, and AV consultation; and (3) Managed Services featuring Axess online portal, Service+ real-time monitoring, Microsoft Teams Rooms helpdesk, service plans, and repair workshops. The company also retails a full range of audio, video, lighting, and accessory equipment through its online shop. Established in 1976, SSE Audio forms the largest UK supplier in the audiovisual sector, with offices in Redditch (West Midlands), Heywood (Greater Manchester), and Park Royal (London).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Solotech GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSE Audio was acquired by and now operates as part of the global Solotech Group. Solotech is a global leader in audiovisual technologies with operations spanning UK, Canada, US, and internationally. This partnership provides SSE Audio with international resources and backing while maintaining its UK market leadership position.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Adlib Audio: UK-based audio, lighting, and AV rental company with strong presence in live sound, installations, and event production. Highly comparable in scale and service mix to SSE Audio Group.
• PRG (Production Resource Group): One of the world's largest providers of rental production services for live events, entertainment, and broadcast. Directly competes with SSE Audio across audio, video, lighting rental, and crew staffing for touring and live productions.
• Britannia Row Productions: UK-based live audio rental and production company serving music tours, festivals, and corporate events. Direct competitor to SSE Audio in the UK live sound market.
• Clair Global: Global provider of live sound reinforcement, lighting, and video production services for tours, festivals, and corporate events. Comparable to SSE Audio's live production business model.
• Hawthorn (now part of PSAV/Encore): UK-based supplier of technical production for live events, including audio, video, lighting, and rigging. Direct competitor in the UK corporate and live event production market.

Others

• Crestron Electronics: Manufacturer of AV control and collaboration systems. Adjacent to SSE Audio's systems integration practice as a key vendor and ecosystem partner rather than a direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• NEP Group: Global outsourced technical production partner for broadcast, sports, and live events. Comparable in scale and turnkey AV production services, though with a stronger broadcast tilt.
• AVI-SPL: Large global provider of AV systems integration, collaboration, and managed services for enterprise and institutional clients. Overlaps with SSE Audio's systems integration and managed services pillars.
• Solotech Group: Global parent company of SSE Audio and one of the largest AV technology providers worldwide. While not a peer in the strict sense, the parent operations in Canada and the US provide a comparable benchmark for AV services scale.

Regional players

• Anbrico (formerly part of White Light Group): UK-based lighting, audio, and AV equipment rental and production company serving theatre, events, and broadcast. Comparable UK-focused peer with overlapping equipment rental and live production services.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UClSCEYUoZIdYNeAxxmOD5TQ?view_as=subscriber
• Facebookfacebook.com/Solotechinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sse-audio-uk
• Instagraminstagram.com/solotech_inc
• Xx.com/sseaudio_uk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SSE Audio Group