Pasquale Quadri, Founder of Clay Paky, is Dead at 67

	Pasquale Quadri, Clay Paky

Pasquale Quadri, founder and chairman of Clay Paky SpA, the manufacturer of entertainment lighting products, passed away on September 7 in his home in Torre de' Roveri. He was 67.

Quadri, who was affectionately known throughout the industry as "Paky," was born in Seriate, Italy (in the province of Bergamo) in 1947. As his official biography notes, he grasped early on that the lighting industry would be transformed by technological developments. Clay Paky took advantage of those changes, producing a line of products that earned the industry's respect.

A musician in his youth -- he played organ, bass, and drums -- he founded Clay Paky in 1976, making and selling professional lighting systems for live entertainment. The company grew quickly, moving to a new site in Pedrengo, where it was able to mass-produce its products. The factory was expanded in 1986 and 1990, reaching 4,500sqm on two floors. An additional complex was created to handle additional mechanical work. Meanwhile, Clay Paky became a joint stock company in 1993, when Quadri announced a plan to build a new facility of 10,000sqm; it became fully operative in 2002.

A passionate technological enthusiast, Quadri ran Clay Paky's R&D department. Describing his hands-on, extremely personal management style, one journalist wrote, "There are no piles of financial documents packed with Excel files and Gantt charts on Quadri's large desk in his elegant chairman's office, but parts of new prototypes, carefully arranged, waiting to be analyzed, criticized, and improved." And from his R&D department issued a series of iconic products: The Astroraggi, Golden Scan, the Alpha Series, and today's blockbusters, the Sharpy and A.LEDA B-EYE. Designs made under Quadri have led to more than 80 patents. The products have earned 50 awards. Clay Paky has grown to include a staff of 130 direct employees.

Quadri was member of the board of directors for small industry and also for metal and mechanical industry for the Industrial Union of Bergamo, as well as the board of directors for Artigianfidi Bergamo, the craftsmen's union. He was auditor of accounts of APIAS (the association of Italian manufacturers of show equipment). In addition, he was a founder of AMA Bergamo, which organizes sports events to raise funds for the treatment of seriously ill children, and he supported the Nazionale Orchestre Italian football team. In 2006, he was honored with the title of Commendatore from the president of Italy. In 2014, he received a lifetime achievement award at the MIPA Awards, held at Prolight + Sound in Frankfurt.

In August, Quadri signed an agreement transferring ownership of Clay Paky to Osram.

A retiring personality, he tended to avoid the press, preferring other staff members -- and Clay Paky's products -- to speak for him. Still, there is no question that his impact on the modern lighting industry was enormous.

Richard Cadena, technical editor of Lighting&Sound America, said, "Paky was a tremendous asset to the lighting industry and a virtuous human being. In one of the toughest, most competitive industries in the world, he managed to keep his company vibrant by making truly innovative products. At the same time, he demonstrated his compassion for people by supporting such altruistic projects as the Knights of Illumination Awards. He shone a bright light on the industry and his passing will create a long shadow for years to come."

Mike Wood, a technical consultant and contributor to LSA, said, "I was fortunate enough to have known Paky since 1986. That was the year we first saw the Golden Scan. Even though others may have started the moving light phase that rejuvenated our entire industry, Paky was one of the few that saw the potential, commercialized it, gave it life, and made it spread. The Golden Scan directly begat the Intellabeam and High End Systems, and directly or indirectly begat just about everything else. While some were trying to keep moving lights secret and exclusive, Paky was selling them and spreading the word.

"Paky didn't like the limelight much, he pushed his company forward, but not himself. He preferred being behind the scenes. I can't pretend to have been that close to him, that was reserved for family, but I'll miss him. He was truly an innovator, and a darn nice guy!"

"Although I personally only met him once, I've always respected his company and the creativity he brought to our industry," stated Toby Velazquez, president, ADJ Group of Companies. "The very first time I went to Rimini in my early 20's, seeing Clay Paky was a true inspiration for me. The creativity coming from the Italian companies was an amazing sight to see and truly gave me a deep love for our industry. Paky was a true icon of our industry!"

Eric Loader, sales director at Elation Professional, adds, "We always enjoyed a friendly relationship with Pasquale and have always had the highest admiration for him and his company. Clay Paky inspired us all to make better lighting products and he built an amazing company as a true pioneer in our industry."

Quadri, 67, is survived by his wife Antonella, his daughters Alessandra and Francesca, and granddaughters Melissa and Martina.