Thomas Riedel Acquires ARRI

Thomas Riedel, founder and owner of Riedel Communications and the wider Riedel Group, has acquired ARRI, the Munich-based premium manufacturer of camera and lighting technology for film-making and live entertainment.

Selected through a competitive international process, Riedel’s bid provides a new home for ARRI in the biggest deal of his career to date.

Riedel Group, a globally recognised specialist in advanced audio, video, and data technology for demanding broadcast, live event, and sports productions, said the transaction forges a close strategic alignment between ARRI and Riedel. The move broadens capabilities across the full production chain — from camera optics to distribution — with ARRI’s camera, lighting, and systems ecosystem complementing Riedel's portfolio and creating fresh technological and market openings for both companies.

Founded in 1917 and family-owned ever since, ARRI is considered a world leader in professional film technology and has received 20 scientific and technical awards from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. "For more than a century, ARRI has stood for engineering excellence, innovation, and the highest quality. This success story will now continue and remain in German ownership," said Dr. Walter Stahl, Managing Director of ARRI GmbH and member of the founding family.

The partners intend to drive new growth areas — particularly in live entertainment and sport — by combining their technologies to deliver integrated solutions with expanded creative and technical possibilities. As a first joint milestone, ARRI will introduce its camera technology at the Eurovision Song Contest, where Riedel is technology provider and NEP is overseeing production.

ARRI will continue to operate independently under its existing management team and remain headquartered in Munich as it advances its ongoing transformation under the new ownership.

"Thomas Riedel has built a first-generation family business and stands for entrepreneurial continuity and long-term thinking," said Chris Richter, Managing Director of ARRI. "We look forward to working with a successful entrepreneur and to the resulting market opportunities and access — both in existing and new markets."

“The Riedel Group brings highly complementary technologies and extensive expertise in live production to this partnership,” added David Bermbach, Managing Director of ARRI. “This strengthens our strategic direction as a ‘Trusted Technology Leader for the Next Generation of Media & Entertainment.’”

"My entrepreneurial path has been closely tied to ARRI for years," said Thomas Riedel. "This acquisition represents the most significant personal milestone of my career so far. I have great respect for this exceptional brand, its outstanding products, and its strong team. At the same time, I see tremendous potential and am confident that, together, we can position ARRI for long-term stability and future success."

arri.com