Blackout Sarl

What Blackout Sarl does

Blackout Sarl is a French specialist provider of stage curtains, rigging systems, and event staging equipment, operating as the French arm of a France-UK Blackout network (with Blackout Ltd in London) founded in 1989-1990 by Dominic Peissel and Steve Tuck. The company serves live event producers, theaters, fashion houses, broadcasters, and government/municipal venues across Europe, with marquee engagements spanning the Take That 2015 European tour, Louis Vuitton fashion shows, London Symphony Orchestra concerts at Trafalgar Square, France 2 broadcasts, Festival Lumière since its first edition, and Olympic-related venue work for the city of Asnières-sur-Seine.

The core technology portfolio is organized around three pillars: (1) Stage curtains and textiles — wool serge, velour, Trevira fire-resistant, sharkstooth gauze, filled cloth/cyclorama, lamé, festoon, PUFC outdoor drapes, plus StarLED illuminated starcloths — with most fabrics certified to French M1 (highest non-flammable) classification; (2) Rigging and lifting — Prolyte H30V/H40V and Thomas Supertruss/Superlite structural trusses, Liftket/Lodestar/Prostar electric chain hoists (250kg to 2 tonnes), rigging masts, and self-supporting ground structures; (3) Automation and reveal systems — Kinesys servo-controlled automation, DMX-controlled Unibeam/Unitrack/Erail/Chainbeam tracking systems (up to 380kg, 0-80 cm/s), Kabuki electromagnetic release systems, and motorized Auto Reveal roller screens with carbon-fiber tubes and G-Frame control.

The business model combines three revenue streams: equipment rental (curtains, rigging, structures, automation), custom fabrication and sale (bespoke in-house sewing for drapes, banners, kabuki systems, specialty textiles), and technical installation services (project management, on-site installation, technical consultation). Pricing is custom-quotation-based rather than published, delivered through a direct enterprise sales force of technico-commercial representatives, with distribution concentrated in France and the UK. Marketing leverages a professional website with online quote requests, LinkedIn/Facebook/Instagram presence, and JTSE trade show participation. The company holds the recurring 'Label Prestataires de Service du Spectacle Vivant' from the Commission Nationale du Label, employs NRC/IPAF/PASMA-certified riggers, and runs an in-house sewing atelier staffed by École Boulle-trained craftsmen.

Name

Blackout Sarl

Legal name

Blackout Sarl

Website

https://blackout.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Blackout Sarl is a French specialist provider of stage curtains, rigging systems, and event staging equipment serving live event producers, theaters, fashion houses, and broadcasters across Europe via rental, custom fabrication, and installation services since 1990.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Stage Curtains & Event Staging Equipment

NAICS

Curtain and Linen Mills (31412), Blind and Shade Manufacturing (337920)

SIC

Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300)

akta.pro primary industry

Staging & Rigging Services (MPAGAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Fabric Converting & Preparation (Slitting/Calendaring/Sanforizing/Inspection) (IMAOABAL)

Keywords

• Stage curtain rental
• Rigging systems
• Event staging equipment
• Custom curtain fabrication
• Motorized track systems

Headquarters

HQ city

La Courneuve

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

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 Rental: Rental of stage curtains, rigging equipment, structures, and automation systems for events. Products include wool serge, velvet, Trevira fabrics, pipe & drape systems, truss structures, and LED starcloths. Rental periods vary based on event duration.
2. Custom Fabrication & Sale: Sale of bespoke curtains, projection screens, rigging systems, and automation equipment manufactured to client specifications. In-house sewing department produces custom solutions including drapes, banners, kabuki systems, and specialty textiles.
3. Technical Installation Services: Project management, on-site installation, and technical consultation for permanent or temporary venue transformations. Includes site surveys, custom solution design, and installation by experienced technicians.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Blackout Sarl designs, manufactures, rents, sells, and installs stage curtains, rigging systems, and event staging equipment for live events, theaters, fashion shows, broadcasters, and corporate productions. It delivers complete staging solutions from custom fabric fabrication through on-site installation and project management, combining rental and sale of proprietary products such as Easibuild pipe-and-drape structures, StarLED backcloths, motorized tracking, and Kinesys automation.

Product overview

Blackout Sarl is a specialist provider of stage curtains, rigging systems, and event staging equipment operating since 1990. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio organized around three main pillars: (1) Stage Curtains including wool serge, velour, Trevira fire-rated, sharkstooth gauze, filled cloth/cyclorama, and specialty drapes like lamé, festoon, and PUFC outdoor curtains; (2) Rigging & Lifting equipment featuring Prolyte and Thomas trusses, electric chain hoists from Liftket/Lodestar/Prostar, self-supporting structures, and Kinesys automation systems; and (3) Portable & Modular Systems including Easibuild/Easipli pipe & drape systems, projection screens with motorized roller systems, StarLED illuminated curtains, and Kabuki/Auto Reveal product reveal systems. The company provides both rental and sale options for most products, with custom fabrication services for bespoke theatrical requirements. The portfolio serves the live performance, event production, television, cinema, fashion, and museum sectors across France and Europe.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Stage Curtains (Wool Serge, Velour, Trevira, Sharkstooth, Filled Cloth, Voile, Festoon, Lamé, PUFC Outdoor, Cotton, Total Blackout) A wide range of M1 fire-rated stage curtains in different fabrics and finishes (wool serge, velour, Trevira fireproof, sharkstooth gauze, filled cloth/cyclorama, voile, festoon, lamé, hydrophobic PUFC outdoor, cotton masking, total blackout) available for hire and sale, used to block or direct sound and light in theatrical and event spaces.
• StarLED / Starcloth LED Drapes
• Kabuki Drop System
• Auto Reveal System
• Curtain Tracking Systems (Unibeam, Unitrack, Erail, Chainbeam)
• Rigging Trusses (Prolyte H30V & H40V, Thomas Supertruss, Thomas Superlite, Circular Truss)
• Electric Chain Hoists (Liftket, Lodestar, Prostar)
• Pipe & Drape Systems (Easibuild, Easipli)
• Self-Supporting Structures (Ground-Support, EasiProtect)
• Motorized Roller Screens
• Custom Projection Screens
• Kinesys Automation System
• Modular Black Boxes
• Event Portals
• Gabled Truss / Pont à Pignon
• Rigging Masts
• Green Screen / Chroma Key Backdrops
• Custom Fabrication Service
• Installation & Integration Services
• Equipment Rental Service
• Project Management Service

Quantifiable outcome

• Events supported include Take That 2015 tour (51 dates), London Olympics 2012, Brit Awards, LSO concerts at Trafalgar Square
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Synpase (Syndicat National des Prestataires de l'Audiovisuel Scénique et Événementiel)coreOthers · 1 January 2020Industry association for audiovisual and event service providers. Blackout participates through the 'Prestataires Solidaires' platform, offering equipment to public health organizations during crises.
• London Symphony OrchestracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-year partnership providing rigging and ground support for BMW LSO Open Air Classics concerts at Trafalgar Square and LSO On Track initiative supporting young musicians.
• One Big Star / Ops SquadcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduction company partnership for Move It dance event, UK's largest dance event at Olympia Grand.
• Prestataires Solidaires PlatformminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOVID-19 solidarity platform coordinated by Synpase connecting available equipment providers with health institutions and municipalities needing space solutions.
• Caméra Lucida ProductionscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProduction company for Louis Vuitton fashion show at La Samaritaine; Blackout provided camera rigging systems.
• D Facto ConsultingcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEvent coordination partner for Festival Lumière, managing general coordination of festival evening events.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• PRG (Production Resource Group): Global leader in event production services with broad capabilities in lighting, video, audio, rigging and scenic solutions for concerts, theater, broadcast and corporate events. Overlaps with Blackout in rigging, automation and staging services but operates at much greater scale across many geographies.
• Tait Towers: Global provider of staging automation, scenic automation, kinetic architecture and tour staging solutions for live entertainment. Overlaps with Blackout in motorized track systems (Kinesys-integrated) and rigging automation, but with a much broader international footprint and proprietary automation IP.
• Hawthorn (part of PSA): UK-based event production services company providing lighting, video, rigging, staging and set services for live events, corporate events and broadcast. Comparable to Blackout in enterprise event rigging and staging services but operates across a broader technical service portfolio.

Direct peers

• ShowTex: Belgian-headquartered global provider of stage textiles, flame-retardant fabrics, curtain tracks, kabuki reveal systems, projection screens and stage rigging hardware. Directly comparable to Blackout across virtually all product lines (curtains, tracks, reveal systems, projection surfaces) and serves the same European live-events and theater customer base.
• Triple E: UK manufacturer of curtain track systems, winches and stage machinery for theaters and live events. Directly comparable to Blackout's Unibeam, Unitrack, Erail and Chainbeam tracking system range, and listed as one of Blackout's integrated technology partners.
• Rose Brand: US-based manufacturer and supplier of theatrical curtains, draperies, stage hardware and scenic fabrics serving Broadway, touring, themed entertainment and live events. Closest North American analog to Blackout's combination of custom fabrication, rental inventory and installation services.
• Stage One Creative Services: UK-based scenic construction and staging company providing custom-built sets, staging, automation and rigging for theater, opera, live events and broadcast. Closest UK-based peer to Blackout's British operations in scenic and rigging project delivery.
• J&C Joel: UK-based manufacturer and installer of theatrical fabrics, stage curtains, acoustic drapes, projection surfaces and flooring for venues worldwide. Direct competitor in the British theatrical textile and rigging-installation market where Blackout Ltd also operates.
• Gerriets: German-founded manufacturer and supplier of theatrical textiles, stage curtains, projection screens, scenic paints and dance flooring with European production and rental operations. Closest direct competitor to Blackout in flame-retardant theatrical fabrics and custom-fabricated drapes for theaters, opera houses and live events.

Regional players

• Camco Rigging & Event Solutions: European event rigging and staging equipment provider offering truss systems, hoists, curtains and event infrastructure. Comparable to Blackout's rigging and curtain rental business within the continental European live events market.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BlackoutSarl
• Facebookfacebook.com/BlackoutSarl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/blackoutsarl
• Instagraminstagram.com/blackoutsarl

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Blackout Sarl