Tait bought FTSI a couple of years ago, and as of earlier this year when TAIT went through some restructuring FTSI no longer exist.PLSN – April 2013
I have mixed feelings about this acquisition. Stage Tech's winch systems are pretty great, and it's exciting that a Navigator system might be driving them soon. Maybe we'll get Navigator in a Nomad form factor. On the other hand, TAIT now basically has a monopoly on automation at this scale.
Truth be told, how many of these types of companies can this industry support in the first place? Tait also has a monopoly on staging at the scale they run. If there is a hole to fill on large scale automation, it will get filled.
Big question is when does Live Nation gobble up these guys, PRG, and Upstaging.
I didn't think the decline of Strand in the late 80's and early 90'swas a good thing for the lighting industry and believe that we would be better if Strand had been privately owned and competed with ETC all these years. Likewise I believe FTSI and now Stage Tech being subsumed by Tait will not best further the high end entertainment technology automation industry. At least there are others in the automation business and some may be able to transition to the high end.
I'm also saddened by the certainty that some good individuals will be stressed and hurt by the change. Like death and taxes.