Thomas Riedel acquires film technology company ARRI

Munich-based camera and lighting technology manufacturer ARRI has been acquired by Thomas Riedel, founder and owner of Riedel Communications and the Riedel Group.

Riedel was selected through a competitive international process for his concept for a new home for ARRI.

The Riedel Group specialises in advanced audio, video and data technology, delivering infrastructure solutions for many broadcast, live event and sports productions. ARRI’s range of cameras, lighting, and systems technology complements the Riedel Group’s existing products, opening up new market opportunities for both companies. By combining their respective technologies, the companies plan to develop integrated solutions to open new technical possibilities to customers.

ARRI, founded in 1917 as a family business, has been honoured with 20 scientific and technical awards from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Under Riedel’s ownership, ARRI’s existing management team will continue to lead the company, and it will retain independent operations, remaining headquartered in Munich.

“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.

“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,” said David Bermbach, managing director of ARRI. “This strengthens our strategic direction as a trusted technology leader for the next generation of media and entertainment.”

“My entrepreneurial path has been closely tied to ARRI for years,” said 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 I am confident that, together, we can position ARRI for long-term stability and future success.”

As the first joint venture of this collaboration, ARRI is to debut its camera technology at the Eurovision Song Contest, where Riedel serves as the technology provider and NEP oversees production.