What Sapsis Rigging does

Sapsis Rigging Inc., founded in 1981 by Bill Sapsis and headquartered in Primos (Upper Darby), Pennsylvania, is a privately held specialist provider of stage rigging, fall protection, and safety systems for the entertainment industry. The company manufactures and sells the ProPlus™ line of entertainment-specific fall protection equipment, including harnesses, self-retracting devices, lanyards, lifelines, beam anchors, trolleys, rescue systems, and pre-configured fall arrest kits, alongside a broader catalog of third-party rigging hardware. Its services portfolio spans rigging installation, production rigging support, repairs and maintenance, recurring safety inspections, custom fall protection design, and training programs, including free public seminars ('Uncle Bill's Remote Seminars') and a YouTube video series ('BackStage Pass'). The customer base is a mix of theatres, concert venues, touring productions, event production companies, cruise ship entertainment venues, and specialized users such as circus arts organizations; named clients include the White House, Lincoln Center, Park Avenue Armory, Royal Caribbean, Cirque du Soleil's 'O' at the Bellagio, and the New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA).

The company's competitive position is grounded in deep talent credentials and standards-body influence rather than technology differentiation. Founder Bill Sapsis chairs the ETCP Arena Subject Matter Experts group, co-Chairs the ANSI-accredited Rigging Working Group, and serves on ESTA's Technical Standards Committee, while multiple staff hold ETCP rigger certifications. The business operates through two primary channels: a direct enterprise sales motion for installation and inspection engagements, and an e-commerce storefront for ProPlus equipment and third-party rigging products to individual technicians and smaller venues. Pricing is transactional per unit for equipment (harnesses $115-$357, SRDs up to ~$2,250, rescue systems $3,710) and per-hour or per-engagement for services (inspector starting rates at $40/hr).

Operationally, Sapsis Rigging runs lean at approximately 15 staff with a clear functional split across operations (David Gillispie), the inspection division (Camille Petrillo), the cruise division (Loren Schreiber), sales (Jeff Prorok, Mark McKinney), and field rigging (Michael Sapsis). In April 2025 the company issued a voluntary recall of certain ProPlus harness models (manufactured August 2023 - March 2025) over a fixed dorsal ring defect that could create an unsafe post-fall body angle. There is no disclosed external funding, no M&A activity, and no public revenue figure; the company remains founder- and family-controlled.

Name

Sapsis Rigging

Legal name

Sapsis Rigging Inc.

Website

https://sapsis-rigging.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sapsis Rigging Inc. manufactures, installs, and services stage rigging, fall protection, and safety systems for theatres, concert venues, cruise ships, touring productions, and event production companies across six continents, anchored by its proprietary ProPlus™ equipment line.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Upper Darby

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Equipment Sales: Sale of proprietary ProPlus fall protection equipment and third-party rigging hardware, theatrical equipment, and safety products through online catalog and direct sales.
2. Installation Services: Professional rigging installation services for theatres, venues, and events.
3. Safety Inspections: Rigging and safety inspection services, including cruise ship venue inspections managed by Loren Schreiber.
4. Training Services: Fall protection training, rescue training, and safety seminars including 'Uncle Bill's Remote Seminars' free online training sessions.
5. Repairs & Maintenance: Repair and maintenance services for rigging and safety equipment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Sapsis Rigging manufactures, sells, and installs the proprietary ProPlus™ line of fall protection equipment (harnesses, self-retracting devices, lanyards, ladder safety systems, fall arrest kits, focus track systems, and rescue systems) while also providing professional stage rigging installation, production rigging support, safety inspections, repairs and maintenance, and training services for theatres, concert venues, touring productions, cruise ships, and event production companies.

Product overview

Sapsis Rigging is a stage rigging and safety systems provider for the entertainment industry. Their primary offering is the proprietary ProPlus™ sub-brand of fall protection equipment, which includes a comprehensive line of harnesses (X-Over, Production X, Production, Basic, Utility, Technician, Rope Access models), lanyards (elastic shock-absorbing, dual leg, adjustable restraint), self-retracting devices (SRDs) in various lengths from 8ft to 100ft, vertical lifelines, rope grabs, beam anchors, trolleys, horizontal lifeline systems, ladder safety systems, and focus track systems (I-Beam and T-Beam). They also offer complete ProPlus Rescue Systems and pre-configured Fall Arrest Kits in multiple configurations. Beyond the ProPlus product line, the company provides rigging services including installations, production rigging, repairs, and maintenance, as well as custom fall protection design and inspection services. The company also sells a broad catalog of general rigging equipment including wire rope, slings, chain, theatre hardware, and various accessories.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ProPlus: ProPlus Fall Protection Systems - a line of fall protection equipment designed by entertainment industry professionals for entertainment industry professionals, including harnesses, lanyards, self-retracting devices, and rescue systems.

Products and services

• ProPlus™ Fall Protection Systems Proprietary line of fall protection equipment designed by entertainment industry professionals for technicians working at height, including harnesses, lanyards, self-retracting devices, and rescue systems.
• ProPlus Focus Track Systems (I-Beam and T-Beam) I-Beam and T-Beam Focus Track Systems for positioning lighting fixtures. I-Beam system priced at $6,100 plus $155/ft adder; T-Beam system priced at $3,575 plus $45/ft adder; Focus Track System Bag at $175.
• ProPlus Fall Arrest Rescue System Complete fall arrest rescue system priced at $3,710, designed for entertainment industry technicians working at height.
• ProPlus Self-Retracting Devices (SRDs) Line of self-retracting fall arrest devices in multiple lengths from 8ft to 100ft and configurations including Mini, Standard, Oversized Hook, Leading Edge, and Dual variants, priced between $140 and $2,252.73.
• ProPlus Ladder Climber's Safety Systems Ladder safety systems with removable safety sleeve available in 20' ($900), 50' ($1,030), 100' ($1,190), and 300' ($1,930) lengths.
• ProPlus Fall Arrest Kits Pre-configured fall arrest kits including Utility, Technicians, and Riggers kits with single or double leg and steel or aluminum hooks, priced between $222 and $625.
• Chain Hoist Stand Equipment for supporting and positioning chain hoists in entertainment rigging applications.
• Stage Rigging Services (Installation, Production Rigging, and Repairs & Maintenance) Professional installation, production rigging support, and repair/maintenance services for entertainment industry rigging systems, delivered to theatres, concert venues, touring productions, and event production companies.
• Fall Protection Design and Inspection Services Custom fall protection system design, inspection, and consultation services for entertainment venues, including cruise ship performance venue inspections managed by the SRI Cruise Division.
• Rigging and Safety Training Services Fall protection training, rescue training, and safety seminars delivered through paid engagements and the free Uncle Bill's Remote Seminars online series.

Quantifiable outcome

• Clients served on six continents
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Behind the Scenes CharityminorOthersBill Sapsis serves on the Board of Directors for Behind the Scenes Charity, which provides support to entertainment industry professionals in need. Uncle Bill's Remote Seminars accept donations for this charity.
• Long Reach Long RidersminorOthersFounding member of Long Reach Long Riders, an industry-based charity motorcycle group that raises money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Behind the Scenes.
• Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP)coreOthersBill Sapsis is chair of ETCP Arena Subject Matter Experts and member of ETCP Council. The company supports ETCP certification for staff members and promotes the certification program.
• ESTA/TSP (Entertainment Services and Technology Association)coreOthersBill Sapsis serves on ESTA's Technical Standards Committee and is co-Chair of the ANSI accredited Rigging Working Group.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Rose Brand: Rose Brand is a major theatrical supply distributor selling rigging hardware, curtains, scenic supplies, and soft goods to the same performance-venue buyers Sapsis serves. It competes head-to-head on rigging hardware catalogs and pro-forma purchasing for theatres and event producers.
• Stagecraft Industries: Stagecraft Industries provides theatrical rigging installations, inspections, and maintenance for performing arts venues. Like Sapsis, it bundles equipment supply with installation and inspection services, making it a close functional peer for venue and theatre customers.
• Motion Labs: Motion Labs designs and manufactures entertainment power distribution and rigging-related electrical systems for concerts, tours, and theatrical productions. It serves the same touring and venue customers and overlaps with Sapsis Rigging on integrated rigging-and-power project specifications.
• Tomcat USA (Area Four Industries): Tomcat is one of the most recognized manufacturers of entertainment rigging truss, ground support, and motors. It directly overlaps with Sapsis Rigging in staging structures and rigging hardware for concerts, tours, and theatrical productions, and was even featured as a guest on Sapsis's Uncle Bill's Remote Seminars.
• H&H Specialties: H&H Specialties manufactures theatrical rigging components including curtain tracks, rigging supplies, and stage hardware. It is a long-standing direct competitor in the equipment supply portion of Sapsis Rigging's business.
• Thern, Inc. Thern manufactures stage rigging equipment including winches, hoists, and curtain machines used in theatres and performance venues. It directly competes with Sapsis Rigging on hardware specifications for new and renovated entertainment rigging systems.

Emerging players

• GALA Systems: GALA Systems specializes in performer flying winches and automated performer rigging used in shows like Cirque du Soleil. It addresses a niche adjacent to Sapsis Rigging's performer-flying work (referenced in Uncle Bill's seminars featuring Paul Sapsis) and competes for the same aerial rigging projects.

Broad incumbents

• Capital Safety: Capital Safety (now part of Honeywell/MSA-aligned portfolios) is one of the largest fall protection equipment manufacturers worldwide. As a broad incumbent, it competes with ProPlus at generalist venues and represents the most well-capitalized potential threat to entertainment-specific equipment differentiation.
• Wenger Corporation: Wenger is a long-established manufacturer of theatrical and acoustical equipment, including J.R. Clancy rigging hoists, winches, and controls. As a larger, broader portfolio player serving the same theatre and performance venues as Sapsis Rigging, it competes with Sapsis on rigging installations and equipment for new builds and renovations.
• 3M Fall Protection (Protecta / DBI-SALA): 3M's Fall Protection business (including DBI-SALA and Protecta brands) is a global generalist manufacturer of harnesses, self-retracting devices, and rescue systems. It competes with Sapsis Rigging's ProPlus line in any venue procurement where buyers default to large-enterprise safety suppliers rather than entertainment-specialized vendors.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PLJD-3-ELE63B25ZHRV4G1W7Qmn0V9ldak
• Facebookfacebook.com/sapsisrigging
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sapsis-rigging-inc
• Instagraminstagram.com/sapsisrigging

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

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 Sapsis Rigging