Robe Reports Robust Sales for ROBIN LEDWash 600

	L-R: Duncan Riley (MD, DWR Distribution), Harry von den Stemmen (Sales Director, Robe lighting), Mark Gaylard (MD, MGG Productions), Josef Valchar (MD, Robe lighting)

Robe reports that it ROBIN 600 LEDWash is officially the fastest selling product tor the Czech Republic based moving light manufacturer since 1999.

Production started at the end of 2010 and the 2,000th LEDWash 600 has just been delivered to French distributor Axente, with over 1,500 on order. Special arrangements have been made at the factory in Valasske Mezirici to ramp up production and keep pace with the incredible demand.

Around the world, Robe's top-eight LEDWash 600 selling territories and distributors are Germany, France, Australia, UK, Russia, Switzerland, Italy, and South Africa.

Sales were further boosted by the Prolight + Sound 2011 exhibition in Frankfurt, proving to be Robe's best-ever trade show in terms of actual confirmed orders taken during the four-day event.

Meantime, the 1,000th Robe LEDWash 600 fixture reached its destination in South Africa as part of a package of 24 units delivered by Robe's SA distributor DWR to Mark Gaylard, of Johannesburg-based MGG Productions.

MGG already owns a substantial amount of Robe equipment -- including over sixty 700 Series fixtures, over 80 LED fixtures, including LEDForce 7s and 18s, CitySkape 48s and Xtremes, along with DigitalSpot 7000 DTs and StageQube video wall. MGG first bought into the brand back in 2008.

"For the weight, size and light output there's no other product that comes anywhere near it," Gaylard says, adding that the longevity of the LEDs will also make a substantial cost saving by eliminating the need to buy replacement bulbs.

On the creative side, he comments that as well as the 15 - 60 degree zoom offering spot as well as wash functionality on the LEDWash 600, there are also all the really cool effects that can be created using chases and patterns on the three rings of LEDs. The self-leveling touch screen display on the base is a hit with the crews.

"Using LED enables us to do lots more with fewer fixtures, and in terms of the power saving and general lower maintenance, it is definitely the route to take," Gaylard adds.

MGG services a variety of shows and events covering live music, corporate, theatre and TV sectors.

It was in 2010 that LED fixtures really took off in the company's work, and, for Gaylard, the CitySkape 48 remains his favorite luminaire for its "brightness to size ratio and great versatility."

MGG's LEDWash 600s were part of a first batch of 100 which were delivered to DWR from the Czech Republic - all of which have been sold. The first LEDWashes in the country were purchased by the State Theatre in Pretoria.

Other recipients include Durban based rental company, Black Coffee, which has taken delivery of 12 units. Wanting to offer something new and innovative to clients, Black Coffee's Brandon Bunyan says, "They are light in weight, use considerably less power, and have a greater light output than anything else we have."

Johannesburg technical and creative production company Blackmotion Production purchased four Robin LEDWash 600s. Kagiso Moima, for that company, comments, "We need fixtures that can be used on TV - the camera can shoot straight into these lights as they are flicker-free, they are bright and the zoom range is amazing."

Sound Headquarters Africa in Johannesburg has purchased eight Robin LEDWash 600s and eight Robin 600 Beams. "The Robins are hot, very effective and well-priced," said Alvin Bruinders, of that company. Rental company Solid Rock, also based in Johannesburg, now has four Robin LEDWash 600s which are currently out on a road show for Vodacom. Abesh Dhevalall, of Solid Rock, comments that the zoom is "unbelievable."

Vimal Rawjee, of Insane Sound in KwaZulu-Natal, purchased six Robin LEDWash 600s; he thinks the LED rings are very cool and offer up a myriad of possibilities for creating zany effects. He adds that the light weight and high output benefits are excellent.

dB Audio Namibia is poised to take delivery of six Robin LEDWash 600s. David Benade says, "Our industry is small and we primarily supply technicals for indoor corporate events, so smaller fixtures are ideal. The LEDWash 600 will give us mobility, flexibility and an expediently sized fixture combined with incredible output."

Another rush of LEDWash 600 orders is now being processed following a successful Robin international road show organized by the highly proactive distributor at the start of March.