Expelec
Expelec SA, founded 1981 in Troyes, France, is a lighting, sound, and stage equipment manufacturer and distributor serving professional event production, theater, and fixed-installation markets through five proprietary brands and exclusive French distribution of 35+ premium third-party brands.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1981
- HeadquartersÉpagny, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Expelec does
Expelec SA is a French professional lighting, sound, and stage equipment manufacturer and distributor founded in 1981, headquartered in Troyes, France, and operating as part of the Festigroup diversified entertainment-technology conglomerate. The company serves event production companies, theater and opera house operators, and fixed-installation professionals exclusively through B2B professional networks, with no direct-to-consumer retail channel. Its core go-to-market is a 100% channel-partner motion backed by integrated in-house technical service and a 3-year product warranty, supported by a bilingual (English/French) e-commerce catalog and active social media presence on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
The product portfolio combines five proprietary brands — Nicols (lighting), Mobiltruss (stage structures, notably the first French brand to use Hydro Reduxa low-carbon aluminium), Executive Accessories (flight cases and protective equipment manufactured primarily in Europe), Expelec, and Expelec SX — with exclusive French distribution of more than 35 premium third-party brands spanning lighting (JB-Lighting, Colorkey), lasers (KVANT, Unity Lasers, Pangolin control interfaces), atmospheric effects (Antari), stage structures (Prolyte, Prolyft, Guil), audio (Celto Acoustique, Intusonic, MOOSE Sound), DMX control software and hardware (Sunlite, Daslight, WOLFMIX, Nicolaudie Architectural), and cabling (Neutrik, PROCAB). Core technology centers on IP 65-rated LED and laser engine lighting, professional moving-head fixtures, weatherized outdoor equipment, and complete integrated audio-visual stage systems. Recent 2025 product launches — the Sprinter IP moving head, a Training Fog Machine, and WOLFMIX III hardware DMX controller — extend the catalog into weatherized fixtures, industrial-adjacent applications, and live-control hardware.
Expelec's business model is hardware-sales-driven through two revenue streams: own-brand product sales (higher margin) and third-party distribution (volume-driven product margins). The company maintains wholly-owned regional French distribution subsidiaries for Prolyte, Antari, and JB-Lighting, employs between 11 and 50 staff, and operates with €1,360,000 of registered share capital under Siren 322 847 567. Revenue is not publicly disclosed, and pricing is handled through direct sales inquiries rather than published rate cards, consistent with negotiated B2B project sales. The company's growth posture is incremental: stable 43-year operating history in a cyclical live-event sector, modest but active product launches, and ecosystem consolidation under Festigroup rather than aggressive geographic or vertical expansion.
Expelec firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Expelec
- Legal name
- Expelec SA
- Website
- https://expelec.fr
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1981
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Expelec SA, founded 1981 in Troyes, France, is a lighting, sound, and stage equipment manufacturer and distributor serving professional event production, theater, and fixed-installation markets through five proprietary brands and exclusive French distribution of 35+ premium third-party brands.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Expelec is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Épagny
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Expelec business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Own Brand Products: Sale of proprietary brands including Nicols (lighting), mobiltruss (stage structures), and Executive Accessories (protective cases). These are manufactured or controlled products that offer higher margins.
- Premium Distribution Brands: Distribution of third-party premium brands including Antari, Prolyte, Stagedesk, Prolyft, Pangolin, Kvant lasers, Unity lasers, Caymon, Nicolaudie Architectural, JB-Lighting, and others. Revenue generated through product margins on resale.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
Expelec product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Expelec manufactures and distributes professional lighting, audio, stage structures, special effects, DMX control systems, cabling, and protective equipment for event production, theater, touring and fixed installation markets. The company sells through its own brands (Nicols lighting, Mobiltruss stage structures, Executive Accessories protective cases) and distributes premium third-party brands (JB-Lighting, KVANT, Antari, Pangolin, Prolyte, Sunlite, WOLFMIX, Prolyft, Guil, Celto Acoustique, Intusonic, Caymon and others). It operates exclusively through professional networks, integrating 100% of its technical services internally.
Product overview
Expelec is a lighting and stage equipment manufacturer and distributor founded in 1981, operating exclusively through professional networks. The company offers its own brands (Nicols for lighting, Mobiltruss for French-made stage structures, Executive Accessories for protective cases, Expelec and Expelec SX) alongside a portfolio of premium distributed brands including JB-Lighting, KVANT, Antari, Pangolin, Unity Lasers, Prolyte, Prolyft, Sunlite, Daslight, WOLFMIX, Guil, Celto Acoustique, Intusonic, MOOSE sound, Nicolaudie Architectural, and Caymon. Product portfolio spans: (1) Lighting - moving heads, LED colorization, lasers, theater fixtures, gobo projectors, effects; (2) Special Effects - fog machines, haze machines, wind/snow/bubble/spark machines and fluids; (3) Audio - speakers, amplifiers, processors, mixers, 100V systems; (4) Stage - truss structures (Prolyte, Mobiltruss), decks (Stagedex, Guil), lifting equipment, crash barriers; (5) Protection - flight cases, racks, IP cases, protective covers; (6) Cabling - light, audio, data, video, and electrical cables. The company integrates 100% of its services internally for immediate response and total control.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Nicols: French lighting brand offering products with incredible value for money for colourisation and servo control
- Mobiltruss
- Executive Accessories
- Expelec SX
Products and services
- Nicols Lighting Brand Expelec's proprietary French lighting brand offering moving heads, LED colorization lighting, and theatre fixtures with value-for-money positioning. Solutions cover colourisation and servo control for professional event and installation buyers.
- Mobiltruss Stage Structures Expelec's proprietary French stage brand specialising in lifting, staging and structural engineering using Hydro Reduxa low-carbon aluminium truss systems.
- Executive Accessories Protective Cases Expelec's proprietary French brand specialising in protective equipment including flight cases, covers and IP cases for touring and professional event use.
- Expelec Professional Lighting Equipment Expelec's main proprietary brand offering professional lighting and stage equipment for professional networks and event production companies.
- Expelec SX Sub-brand Sub-brand under Expelec offering proprietary professional lighting and stage equipment products.
- Antari Special Effects Distribution Distribution in France of Antari atmospheric effects machines including solutions for smoke, fog, wind, snow, bubbles, CO2 effects and fluid distribution for professional event and training applications.
- KVANT Laser Distribution Distribution in France of KVANT laser systems designed, developed and manufactured in Slovenia, renowned for reliability and high-quality laser effects.
- Pangolin Laser Control Distribution Distribution in France of Pangolin laser control interfaces including Quickshow and Beyond software, the most advanced laser control solutions globally.
- JB-Lighting Distribution Distribution in France of JB-Lighting silent lighting fixtures, a German benchmark brand for theatres, opera houses and demanding service providers.
- Prolyte Stage Structure Distribution Distribution in France of Prolyte stage truss systems including Verto, Echelle, triangulaire, carrée, rectangulaire and pliable series, with high safety standards for load-bearing structures.
- Sunlite DMX Software Distribution Distribution in France of Sunlite DMX control software, a French-developed global benchmark for live DMX control with multiple functions and user-friendly interface.
- WOLFMIX Hardware DMX Controller Distribution Distribution in France of WOLFMIX hardware DMX controllers, user-friendly standalone lighting control units established worldwide as effective.
- Nicolaudie Architectural DMX Distribution Distribution in France of Nicolaudie Architectural DMX control solutions for fixed installations, including STICK, DINA and SLESA products with complementary software.
- Colorkey Lighting Distribution Distribution in France of Colorkey accessible professional lighting solutions for small events or installations without compromising on quality.
Companies that use Expelec
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Expelec technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Expelec partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Kvant LaserscoreDesigned, developed and manufactured in Slovenia, KVANT lasers are renowned for their reliability and high-quality effects. Expelec distributes their laser products.
- PangolincoreAmerican company providing the most advanced laser control solutions, notably through Quickshow and Beyond software. Expelec distributes their laser control interfaces.
- Unity LaserscoreA brand born from the partnership between Kvant and Pangolin. Unity offers high-quality lasers at a very affordable price considering the technologies they incorporate. Three-way collaboration with Expelec distributing the products.
- ProlytecoreUndisputed leader in stage structures with load-bearing structures and high safety standards. Expelec distributes Prolyte stage structures including Verto, Echelle, triangulaire, carrée, rectangulaire, and pliable series.
- ProlyftminorProlyte motor brand guaranteed for life. FEM class: 2M with a service life of 6,300 hours, whereas competitors often stop at 800 hours. Focus on safety and endurance.
- MobiltrusscoreFrench stage brand and first French brand to use Hydro Reduxa low-carbon aluminium. Provides expertise in lifting, staging and structural engineering. Expelec's own brand.
- GuilminorSpanish manufacturer of stage sets and lifting equipment. 100% made in Spain with factories in Valence, committed to quality with impeccable manufacturing standards.
- CaymonminorHigh-quality racking, racks and accessories with innovative solutions. The brand that invented CASY (racking system).
- JB-LightingcoreGerman benchmark brand with perfectly crafted products that are completely silent. Ideal for theatres, opera houses and the most demanding service providers.
- AntaricoreTaiwanese brand renowned for its manufacturing quality, offering solutions for smoke, fog, wind, snow and bubbles, as well as CO2 effects and fluid distribution.
- Celto AcoustiqueminorGame changer in the audio market. When launched, many were sceptical but ultimately loved the products after listening, touching, and using them.
- IntusonicminorCost-effective, efficient audio integration solution with high-quality manufacturing. Meets expectations for broadcasting, amplification and matrixing.
- MOOSE Soundminor100% European-made sound brand. Addresses carbon footprint concerns without sacrificing acoustic quality.
- ColorkeyminorAccessible lighting solutions without compromising on quality. Ideal for small events or installations.
- SunlitecoreFrench DMX control software established as a global benchmark with multiple functions and highly user-friendly interface.
- Nicolaudie ArchitecturalminorFor fixed installations, DMX control solutions with comprehensive range of STICK, DINA and SLESA products, along with complementary software.
- Executive AccessoriescoreFrench brand specialising in protective equipment. Offers flight cases, covers and IP cases that are quality-oriented and mainly manufactured in Europe. Expelec's own brand.
- NicolscoreFrench lighting brand offering products with incredible value for money. Reliable, efficient and innovative, providing solutions for colourisation and servo control. Expelec's own brand.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Expelec competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ETC (Electronic Theatre Controls): US-based theater and architectural lighting manufacturer with strong presence in theater, opera and live event markets. Directly aligned with the JB-Lighting partnership positioning Expelec toward theater and opera house customers.
- Elation Professional: US lighting manufacturer specializing in professional moving heads, LED fixtures and architectural lighting for event production and fixed installations. Comparable product portfolio and target customer base.
- Chauvet Professional: Major US lighting manufacturer producing moving heads, LED fixtures and atmospheric effects for event production. Direct competitor across Expelec's core categories including LED colorization, moving heads and IP-rated outdoor lighting.
- GLP (German Light Products): German manufacturer of professional LED lighting and moving heads for events, concerts and installations. Comparable premium product positioning and target customers across the European event production market.
- Claypaky: Italian professional lighting manufacturer (owned by OSRAM) producing premium moving heads and architectural lighting for events and entertainment. Comparable product quality and customer segments including theater and touring.
- LMP Lichttechnik: German distributor of professional lighting and stage equipment distributing premium brands including Robe and other category leaders. Closely comparable distribution-led business model focused on the DACH market.
- Highlite International: Dutch-based international distributor and manufacturer of professional lighting, audio and stage equipment operating the Showtec and DMT brands and distributing similar premium brands. Closely comparable hybrid distribution + own-brand business model across European markets.
- ADJ Group: US-based lighting manufacturer and distributor serving professional event production with moving heads, LED fixtures and atmospheric effects. Comparable product mix and own-brand + complementary distribution model.
- Robe Lighting: Czech lighting manufacturer with strong European presence producing premium moving heads and LED fixtures for events, theater and television. Similar premium product positioning and target customer segments.
Broad incumbents
- Martin Professional (Harman): Major professional lighting brand owned by Harman (Samsung subsidiary) offering comprehensive lighting solutions across event, architectural and entertainment markets. Broader incumbent with wider portfolio and global scale.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Expelec social profiles
Digital presenceExpelec financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Expelec leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Expelec subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries6 records
Expelec funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Expelec 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 Expelec
What does Expelec do?
Expelec manufactures and distributes professional lighting, audio, stage structures, special effects, DMX control systems, cabling, and protective equipment for event production, theater, touring and fixed installation markets. The company sells through its own brands (Nicols lighting, Mobiltruss stage structures, Executive Accessories protective cases) and distributes premium third-party brands (JB-Lighting, KVANT, Antari, Pangolin, Prolyte, Sunlite, WOLFMIX, Prolyft, Guil, Celto Acoustique, Intusonic, Caymon and others). It operates exclusively through professional networks, integrating 100% of its technical services internally.
Is Expelec a public or private company?
Expelec is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Expelec founded?
Expelec was founded in 1981. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Expelec based?
Expelec is headquartered in Épagny, France, in the Europe region.
How does Expelec make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Own Brand Products are the primary driver. The others are premium Distribution Brands.
Who are Expelec's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ETC (Electronic Theatre Controls), Elation Professional, Chauvet Professional, GLP (German Light Products), Claypaky, LMP Lichttechnik, Highlite International, ADJ Group and Robe Lighting. Martin Professional (Harman) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Expelec have an API?
No public API is recorded for Expelec.