Gearhouse SA triumphed at the eleventh annual Total Production International (TPi) Awards held in February at the Novotel London West Hotel in Hammersmith, UK.
The company cemented its status as one of the world’s most reputable live production companies by winning the coveted Favorite International Production Company Award for the second time. It fought off competition from Ampco Flashlight, Clair, Firehouse, Melpomen and Roadrunner Belgium – five prominent players on the global live production scene.

Organised every year by leading UK industry publication, Total Production International, The TPi Awards – are widely regarded as the most prestigious honour for the live production industry. Speaking after the ceremony, Gearhouse SA’s marketing manager Robyn D’Alessandro attributed the accolade to the company’s strong experience and world-class services. “This award recognises the top services we provide locally and internationally, as well as our attempts to keep up to date with the latest equipment. More importantly, it acknowledges the dedication of our crew, who each individually deserve this award for delivering professional service all the time.’

D’Alessandro added that the award would also put the local events industry on the global map. “This appreciation extends not only to Gearhouse SA but to the South African industry as a whole. It showcases Africa as a world-class event destination and it’s good to know that people outside South Africa realise that they can arrive in this country and receive exactly the same quality, service and equipment as in other countries.’

Gearhouse SA first won the Favorite International Production Company Award in 2010. To accept the award this year was the company’s top brass; John McDermott (Johannesburg branch manager ), Thembani “Wiseman’ Lokoza (senior structures technician), Andrew Potter (structures operations manager), George Majola (lighting crew boss) and the company’s founder and managing director Ofer Lapid.

D’Alessandro said the company was gearing up for another successful year, having recently set up a new base in Ghana and signed a contract to supply a big conference for Shell. “We are very excited about the Shell conference because we have invested a lot of money and time to recruit the right people and purchase equipment specifically for the conference sector,’ she said.

High profile awards

Over 1 100 people from all disciplines of the international live event production industry attended the TPi Awards this year. The sold-out event was hosted by BBC 6Music’s Stuart Maconie and BBC 5Live’s Danny Baker.

Duncan Riley from local company DWR Distribution attended the awards. He says “It was amazing, seeing old friends that we haven’t seen for a while and networking with people who are influential in the industry. The highlight for me was being at the event and witnessing Gearhouse SA winning the award. This was a win for South Africa.’

The awards are voted for by the trade and production industry. Other hotly-contested accolades handed out during the 30-category ceremony included Live Production of the Year, Tour Manager of the Year, Favorite Venue and Set Designer of the Year, Favourite Sound Rental Company and Lifetime Contribution Award.
Mike Jones, who heads local event production company MJ Event Gear, was very impressed and believes that local awards can learn from the TPi’s. “I have always wanted to attend this function and it was great. I think the TPSA Awards in South Africa could also learn from them and perhaps add some categories. Remembering those great guys who died in the industry and naming awards after them was also a nice touch.’

Since their inception in 2002, the yearly awards have consistently grown in size and, in addition to honoring outstanding industry players, act as a solid networking platform for the global live production industry.

TPi production

Sound and communications company Orbital handled all aspects of the evening’s sound. Engineers used the compact and versatile d&b Audiotechnik T10 line array loudspeaker system, powered by D12 amplifiers to handle the two stages in the challenging Novotel environment. Mixing was done on a Yamaha LS9 32 console with full iPad remote control and radio microphones from Shure. For communication technicians used a Clear-Com Tempest 4-channel wireless system.

The venue was lit entirely with ROBIN LED fixtures; a collaboration between Czech Republic based Robe and leading UK lighting and visuals rental company HSL, which handled the rigging and installation of the lighting equipment.