Background

Testimonials "Yesterday (25/8/15) two of your design engineers, Rich and Alex, were on site with us to fix a faulty GDS SM desk. We have been plagued with a number of minor faults which proved impossible for us to track down. Rich and Alex arrived bright and cherry (considering they were on the red-eye!) with a very positive attitude towards sorting out our problems. Indeed they had the first fault identified within 20 minutes of arrival. Nothing that we asked them to do was too much trouble. For example, we had slight hum on a speaker in the desk and despite us saying that we could live with it, they persevered until it was completely eliminated. In addition, at our request they modified an amplifier input to enhance the overall usability of the SM desk. I would also like to note that it is very pleasing in todays “replace everything” servicing approach to find two engineers who can actually fault and repair to component level. It was very apparent that they knew the system inside out and were easily capable of making customised modification. Please pass my thanks on to both of the lads for their professionalism and pleasant helpful attitude. These two guys are an asset to your organisation." My name is Bob Hayes. I am one of the venue technicians in the Theatre At The Mill, Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland. "GDS are the only firm we know of who could have pulled off this challenging task so successfully. GDS managed to develop a new product - the Arc catenary - responding positively to feedback from the client, architect and consultants; and ending up with a solution which is beautiful and practical. Not only do we have a low-energy houselight system with no need to change lamps, we have avoided the need for a separate worklight system around the auditorium, which saved money and avoids additional clutter in the auditorium ceiling". Alex Wardle, Charcoalblue Theatre Consultants, working on behalf of Chichester Festival Theatre “When the initial houselighting scheme for the new Everyman was designed, we had resigned ourselves to using Tungsten fittings but as the Everyman theatre is naturally ventilated and designed to achieve ‘BREEAM Excellent’, we were keen to explore a suitable LED alternative. With the development of the ArcSystem we were able to offer the client a low energy system that met their exacting standards for flexibility, dimming and colour temperature. We arranged for Matt Lloyd to demonstrate the installation at Bristol Old Vic to the architect and Artistic Director. They were suitably convinced and so the entire house and worklighting scheme was changed for the Arc fittings. Both Matt Lloyd and Paul Johnson from GDS were involved in the system design and helped deliver the quality of service and equipment we have come to expect from the stage management consoles and BluesSystems. The key to the success of the Everyman auditorium is its ability to maintain the familiar warmth and charm of the old theatre in a sustainable, flexible way and the use of the GDS ArcSystem is an important factor in achieving this.” Ian Stickland, Charcoalblue Theatre Consultants, working on behalf of Liverpool Everyman Theatre “We’re proud to become the first GDS full system theatre and are delighted with the results of using the GDS ArcSystem, BluesSystem, Stage Manager's Console and CueLight System. The new Everyman has sustainability at its heart so it was important to find a lighting solution that could deliver that, whilst not compromising on the quality and GDS more than fulfilled those requirements. The lighting is very efficient and reliable and the colour temperature for LEDs is great. We have also found the BluesSystem to be excellent and it rarely needs to run at ‘full’ because of the brightness it delivers. The system gives us superb flexibility - it is adaptable for the full range of stage configurations that the new auditorium can accommodate and has great wireless control. There is the capacity to access the whole GDS system from a laptop. I can be at any position in the auditorium and set minimum and maximum levels, flash certain channels to identify where they are and if they are working. All the house-lights and blues circuits can be controlled by the lighting console for use during shows, which allowed us to create a Mexican wave effect during the celebratory opening production.” Kay Haynes, Head of Lighting, Liverpool Everyman Theatre As I said, for a refurbishment that in many ways is successful if people don’t notice it, it is one that has impressed all our staff. I’ve worked at the Savoy for 17 years and have been making the case for this project for at least 5. It started out as a purely practical replacement of failed fittings and cold cathode strips and along the way we have managed to incorporate a whole new level of energy efficiency through the choice of product and the flexibility of the control system. This is something that I consider very important and achieving it may well be my most important contribution to this historic building. I can also say truthfully, that not only does the auditorium look as good as it did when I started working here, it looks the best it has ever looked since I’ve been here. The flexibility of the LED tape has also enhanced the lighting design to a point where are architectural features are highlighted in a way they were not previously. All in all, a wonderful project to be a part of. Chris Keniger, Chief Electrician, The Savoy Theatre “The ArcLamp fixtures are show stealers. To have created a low voltage candle-lamp that can be retro-fitted somewhere like The Savoy Theatre and not only be quickly and easily installed but also offers the kind of dimming control that it does, is some achievement. The ArcLamp fixtures enable the theatre to stay true to the intentions of its original interior designers whilst the warmth of the light actually enhances the outcomes they were seeking. Energy costs are reduced to a fraction without compromising any aspects of the theatre’s wonderful character. A win/win if ever there was one.” Simon Needle, Special Projects Director of White Light, working on behalf of The Savoy Theatre Thanks to everyone at GDS for your ArcSystem 4 cell linear led lighting fixture. The quality of light is excellent and your custom luminaire, delivered on time, has produced a result on stage and within the acoustic canopy concert lighting that surpasses our expectations. It is a stunning result of foresight, product design and cooperation between architect, consultant, client and not least - manufacturer. The concert stage is beautifully and evenly lit with a near perfect diffuse field of light. Sam Wise, Design Director, Venue Strategies, working on behalf of Arup Theatre Consulting "Grande Auditório Calouste Gulbenkian with the best lighting system LED technology. Thanks to the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation for choosing GDS and Siemens by having us as a partner in this project." Jorge Da Fonseca - Sales Director - EES (Portugal) - Calouste Gulbekian Foundation Project “From the outset, the GDS team was completely committed to the project. They were technically very sharp, very dynamic and always demonstrated a positive approach to problem solving and working with other parties involved.” Jim Morse - Chief Lighting Designer, working on behalf of Eventim Apollo - London “I was very impressed with the ArcSystem 8 cell, the colour temperature, stable wireless control and dimming ability in such a compact unit. It was the solution to all our problems and those that we didn’t know we had.” Didier Paillet, Head of Lighting, Bastille Opera House - Paris “GDS came to site to help with the initial proposal and specification of fittings, we were very happy to offer this as their distribution partner for France knowing that the installation would be a seamless replacement and would deliver all the benefits that The Bastille was looking for.” Lionel Garraud, Managing Director, Alterlite, working on behalf of Bastille Opera House - Paris “ The final result is fantastic! The brightness achieved is exceptional and the installation was straightforward. GDS put together a large system very quickly indeed, including some bespoke work that saved us even more time. From the initial consultations through to technical assistance with programming the system, the support we received from GDS throughout the project was first-class.” Alain Suard, Swiss Light Consulting, working on behalf of Stravinsky Auditorium - Montreux, Switzerland The GDS Team Management Team About Us ArcSystem Arc System Richard Cuthbert R & D Director Richard focuses on company and new product strategy. LiteWare Sales Team CueSystem Engineering Team MainsSystem Blues System Finance Team Production Team Theatres Global Design Solutions It isn’t simply that the levels of lighting in the hall have been increased – although they certainly have – but more that the quality of lighting has added a warmth to the building that we have never had before. The tangible enhancement that ArcSystem has provided would prompt me to recommend it without hesitation in any similar situation. Factor in the speed and straightforward nature of the install and one would have to say that the system is a winner in every respect. Chris Barlow, Technical Electrics Manager for Bradford Theatres The Main Theatre auditorium and stage uses 48 GDS Blues and Whites integrated into the 5-scene working light scheme, part under dimmer operation and part switched. These provide an excellent in-show access lighting solution, particularly to areas dimmed to minimum levels and in the public view. Chris Baldwin, Theatre Designer for Y Ffwrnes We had no hesitation in putting the stage manager’s desks high on our shopping list. Working with GDS, Theatre Projects Consultants and Northern Light was a most productive process and ensured that what we got was what we required. Brian Gavin, Beacon Arts Centre It was great to work with the GDS team, they immediately understood the brief and quickly developed a practical and flexible solution that now looks great and is very versatile, this was achieved with minimal impact to the fabric of the building and has made long term energy and maintenance savings. Roger Hennigan – Technical Manager, Southbank Centre The system is excellent. The products are great. They were very easy to install, with the result that we were ahead of the schedule we’d set ourselves. As with any project there were some teething problems, in this case associated with the wireless control, but these were down to the nature of the overall building rather than the kit and GDS were quick to help us overcome them. ArcSystem has delivered a dramatic improvement in lighting levels and will reduce maintenance and running costs, so I’d imagine the management of Portsmouth Guildhall will consider their brief well and truly met! Andy Stone, Theatre Consultant from Drama by Design ArcSystem was ideal for this job, it was chosen for its ability to dim from 100% to zero, and the fact that it could utilise the existing wiring infrastructure and could be installed in-house quickly and effectively. The installation was completed overnight by the in-house technical team, it was straight-forward, fast and the fittings worked immediately, the hardware and software were installed and communicated without any problem. Petter Nilssen, Elektrik, Norway GDS was founded by Matt Lloyd and Richard Cuthbert in June 2004 after identifying the need for a specialist manufacturer to solve challenging problems within the entertainment industry. With Matt’s experienced commercial background and drive, and Richard’s extensive technical knowledge and enthusiasm, a strong balanced bond formed that always has the customer needs at heart, designing the best solution possible. True to its roots, from its humble beginnings in a loft space with small workshop, It has grown to become synonymous within the entertainment industry as a top solution provider for major hard to solve issues, such as ergonomic SM desks, Perfectly dimmed Auditorium LED lighting and networked programmable cue lights. With everything manufactured on the dedicated Bristol UK site, the now substantial team at GDS hold the same values as Matt and Richard, meeting the customer requirements by designing the best solution possible.

Value

- Progressive – we will be forward thinking, responding to challenges and opportunities to create benefits for the environment and our customers - Respect – we will show respect for all of our stakeholders, valuing their skills, experience, and listening to the contributions they make. - Enthusiasm & Fun - Combining a can do attitude in a fun environment - Ownership – we will take ownership for what we do, accepting responsibility for our actions, not blaming others. - Professional Integrity – we will act in a professional manner, taking account of honesty when we make decisions and acting in the best interests of the business and our key stakeholders.

Mission

We evaluate, design and deliver perfect lighting and control solutions for your space. Our team solve technical problems with innovative ideas creating products used in exciting buildings and entertainment venues all over the world. We reduce environmental impact through responsible design, supply chain and manufacturing processes.

Vision

We will make high quality energy saving products available to everyone through global expansion, contributing to people’s lives and enjoyment while adding to a sustainable and carbon neutral environment on the planet.