Founded in 1981 by Ofer Lapid under the name Lighting Unlimited, Gearhouse South Africa began as a modest operation with limited resources but a clear ambition to support the region’s emerging events industry. Over the decades, it has grown into a leading technical production provider, now operating as the cornerstone of the Gearhouse Group of Companies. Based out of Johannesburg, with additional facilities in Cape Town and Durban, the company has built a reputation for delivering integrated solutions across a full spectrum of live events, from intimate gatherings to large-scale international productions.
At the heart of Gearhouse’s success lies its structure: a collective of 10 specialised companies, each offering distinct technical services while operating under a unified vision. This model allows for deep specialisation within each division – be it lighting, audio, rigging, or venue management – while streamlining communication and project delivery through a single point of contact. This collaborative approach has become a defining characteristic of the Group’s operation, allowing it to manage complex, multidisciplinary projects with efficiency and cohesion.
Gearhouse’s expansive service offering now includes lighting, audio, staging, AV, rigging, structures, power distribution, portable venue solutions, and more. While the range of services has expanded significantly since its early days, what has remained constant is the emphasis on quality, reliability, and adaptability. Each event is approached with a bespoke mindset, drawing from the Group’s collective technical and logistical expertise.
Lighting plays a central role in the company’s portfolio, with capabilities ranging from architectural lighting and theatre-style rigs to large-format concert lighting. The team prioritises design and execution, often integrating cutting-edge fixtures and control systems to create dynamic, responsive environments. On the audio side, the company continues to support events with a suite of high-end systems, including L-Acoustics K1, K2, KARA, Kudo, and V-DOSC, as well as DiGiCo Quantum 338 consoles, and solutions from JBL, Meyer Sound, and Nexo. These are deployed by skilled technicians who ensure fidelity and coverage across venues of all types.
Given the infrastructural challenges sometimes faced in the region, power delivery is a crucial element in Gearhouse’s offering. The company’s power division provides both grid-linked and fully independent generator setups, with tailored distribution networks engineered to accommodate the load profiles of modern events. This guarantees operational stability, even under demanding conditions.
Staging and structural components are designed and delivered with the same attention to engineering and detail. Gearhouse’s staging division utilises modular decks and StageCo roofing systems, paired with custom rigging solutions to provide both aesthetic flexibility and structural integrity. As demand for hybrid and virtual events continues, the company has also invested heavily in AV capabilities. Multi-camera production, streaming services, LED screen integration, and live-feed management are now part of its standard offering, allowing clients to connect with remote audiences without compromising production values.
In2Structures, one of the Group’s subsidiary companies, supplies custom-built portable venues that can be deployed in a variety of formats and locations. Designed with scalability and durability in mind, these temporary structures have become a mainstay at festivals, exhibitions, and outdoor activations. Meanwhile, Splitbeam serves the theatre industry, supplying cost-effective lighting, sound, and scenic solutions to schools, touring productions, and commercial venues alike.
The Group’s broader offering is supported by additional companies that fill critical industry niches. Sets Drapes Screens creates tailored set pieces and scenic elements for live and broadcast applications, while ShowCom focuses on intercom and RF communication systems, with solutions ranging from basic analogue systems to advanced IP-based platforms. Havaseat delivers temporary grandstand seating solutions, using the PERI ARENA system to offer quick-to-assemble, raked seating for outdoor or venue-based events.
LED Vision, another key division, manages one of the largest inventories of modular and mobile LED displays in the region. Their teams support everything from straightforward screen installations to high-end content delivery, with the use of media servers and advanced switching hardware. Gearhouse System Solutions, with over 26 years in the field, handles long-term AV integration projects. Their scope spans consultation and installation through to long-term support, specialising in LED displays and digital signage across sectors.
INHOUSE Venue Technical Management (IVTM) oversees technical services at 28 venues across South Africa, from hotels and conference centres to arenas and casinos. Each site benefits from a dedicated technical manager and 24-hour support, ensuring seamless service delivery across events of varying scale. With operations recently extending to Rustenburg and Nelspruit, IVTM remains focused on delivering venue-specific solutions while maintaining high technical standards.
“At Gearhouse, we focus on providing complete solutions for live events,” commented Gearhouse SA’s General Manager, Charl Smit. “We bring together all the services needed – from staging and rigging to AV and venue setups – making sure everything runs smoothly. All our companies work towards a common vision and business ethic, which is one of our differentiators. Clients benefit from having everything accessible through a single contact point, and we ensure that every part of the project is executed with the same high standards and approach.”
Looking ahead, Gearhouse continues to invest in infrastructure and skills development as it prepares for the evolving demands of the live events industry. Its ability to offer integrated, scalable solutions has made it a preferred partner for organisers across the continent. As the Group moves into its next chapter, it does so with a continued focus on innovation, collaboration, and delivering consistent technical excellence.
Photos: Gearhouse
