AABYHOEJ, Denmark - The introduction of SGM’s X-5 LED strobes inspired award winning production designer, LeRoy Bennett, to specify 470 pieces for Beyoncé’s The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour. Bennett also had the X-5s in mind for the next tour by metal band Rammstein.

UK - Penn Elcom GmbH has acquired Netherlands-based flightcase manufacturer Flightware BV in an amicable agreement which will further strengthen and diversify The Penn Elcom Group’s flight case product design capabilities and ranges. The agreement was reached between Thomas Mostert, CEO of Penn Elcom GmbH, and Marcel Vlot, MD of Flightware, who is now planning to leave the industry to pursue other interests.

When the producers of Fox TV’s American Idol decided to source a new video wall for the 2013 season, ShowFX Inc. rose to the challenge. The result is a seamless integration of rented video panels into a custom-built 12-axis motion-controlled system that tracks and rotates, creating a multitude of looks for entrances and performances during the show. The LED panels themselves, supplied via VER and NEP/Sweetwater, are Barco ILite 6.

ITALY - Clay Paky cites distributor and customer reaction to the new member of its family, the Sharpy Wash 330. For more product details, visit http://www.plsn.com/product-news/10966-clay-paky-sharpy-wash-330.html

VANCOUVER, BC and HALIFAX, NS, Canada — Montreal-based Solotech announced new sales and integration offices in Vancouver and Halifax on May 1. The Vancouver office will be led by Brian Konechny and Larry Medwin. The Halifax office will be led by Eric Bourgeois and Bill Lawlor. Solotech also added Rob Lanthier to its Ottawa office staff.

COLUMBIA, MD - An updated edition of Light Plot Deconstructed for Vectorworks Spotlight is now available. Written by scenic/ lighting designer Gregg Hillmar, the guide is a companion handbook to the software to help readers draft light plots more easily.

MIDDLETON, WI  — ETC (Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.) is expanding its manufacturing capacity with the purchase of a 350,000 square-foot building in Mazomanie, WI. ETC will move portions of its manufacturing and warehousing to the new facility while maintaining its headquarters in Middleton, WI. Portions of the new facility are expected to open this fall. ETC does not anticipate a reduction in its workforce.

NASHVILLE — Premier Christian Cruises tapped PixelFLEX to provide its LED curtain video screens as a backdrop for the ship’s musical performances.  The cruiseship staff hung a PixelFLEX panel in the main atrium to feature announcements and a brief video to keep passengers up to date on activities. Videos and images can be sent to PixelFLEX’s screens using any computer with a DVI-D connection.

LOS ANGELES - 4Wall Entertainment has acquired the assets of Action Theatrical, a Sun Valley, CA-based production company specializing in rigging for the film and video industry.  Action Theatrical President Rich Porter will assume the title of VP of Business Development for 4Wall LA.

SACRAMENTO, CA — In late April and early May, 4Wall Entertainment Lighting (Las Vegas) and Stage 1, Inc. (Folsom, CA) issued press releases outlining a dispute over a transaction involving used gear valued at close to $55,000.