Southern Enterprise Awards 2019

6 | SME NEWS - Southern Enterprise Awards 2019 Manufacturing professional audio equipment for the concert, touring and festival industry, Martin Audio has been delivering the best possible audience experience for nearly fifty years. Having been named as Best International AV Equipment Manufacturer 2019 in SME News’ Southern Enterprise Awards, we profiled the firm to find out the reasons behind their sustained success. Since the company’s formation in 1971, Martin Audio has evolved to work with some of the greatest musical super groups to grace the stage. Originally founded by engineering maestro David Martin, the firm’s vision was to enable bands to play to larger audiences where they would be properly heard for the first time. The company’s reputation saw exponential growth, and they were soon producing world-class touring systems for the likes of Pink Floyd, The Who, and Supertramp. Proud of their heritage, David’s central philosophy of the importance of the audience experience has remained at the centre of their business since. The last twelve months have seen continued resurgence of Martin Audio as an industry innovator. A process which started in 2016 saw the firm take on a new management team, refocusing their work on the needs and expectations of the client with a totally refreshed product line-up that includes a full roster of new and improved audio solutions. The business also specialises in the permanent installation of professional audio systems across a wide range of venues from nightclubs and auditoriums, to houses of worship and bars and restaurants. Boasting a wide portfolio that can cater for multiple applications, Martin Audio are able to provide a one-stop-shop for loudspeaker requirements. With a valued and recognised signature sound across the portfolio, their systems have been enjoyed across the world. The firm’s research and development department represent 20% of the workforce, ensuring that new product development and innovations are a key factor to their success. This has helped the firm to deliver unique technology and propositions into the marketplace that provide better control, coverage and consistency of sound across a space. Also, Martin Audio pride themselves on their ability to mitigate unwanted sound spillage at a city-based music festival, or other public music-based events. Best International AV Equipment Manufacturer 2019 Martin Audio Ltd. Martin Audio are also keen to take advantage of their position in the south of the United Kingdom, tapping into local colleges to access the large numbers of talented young people. The firm help develop the next generation of engineering talent with their apprenticeship and intern programmes, working alongside educational facilities to show young people that there is potential for a long career in the audio industry. Looking towards the future, the plan is very much the same as it has been: continue to grow by doing what they are best at. Through more investment into innovation and expanding the product and service portfolio, Martin Audio aim to enable further growth in installations as well as live sound applications. The business is also investing in people and facilities to help manage that growth, alongside their capacity to better serve customers and audiences. Ultimately, the firm’s success is down to their continued devotion to putting the audience experience first. By dedicating themselves to working hard in delivering the ultimate musical experience, Martin Audio have cultivated an international reputation for supplying superb, performance-ready systems across the entire spectrum of sound reinforcement applications. Company: Martin Audio Ltd. Website: https://martin-audio.com/