Penn-Elcom Acquires and Integrates CLD Distribution

Nigel Howes and Sandra Connolly of CLD

Penn Elcom, a manufacturer of flightcase and a speaker solutions specialist, has acquired CLD Distribution, whose business focuses on cables, connectors, lamps and LED lightsources. Although CLD has been integrated within Penn Elcom, CLD will continue with its own operation, identity and trading contacts, but under the Penn-Elcom umbrella. CLD Distribution was founded in 1984 as a wholesale business dedicated to lamps, lighting, audio and colour components and consumables for the professional lighting and sound industry, and is a supplier to installation and service companies. It is still headed by founder Nigel Howes and Sandra Connolly. Penn-Elcom and CLD Distribution have had a trading partnership for close to 20 years. In 2000, CLD Distribution moved from Loxwood, West Sussex, U.K. to the Penn Fabrication site in Hastings, U.K. "CLD fills a large gap in the Penn-Elcom ranges, and their encyclopedic knowledge in the world of connectors and lamps will be of great benefit to our clients,” said Penn-Elcom chairman Roger Willems. “It is a perfect match, and it's very exciting for all of us to be working together - there has always been a lot of mutual respect, and this is consolidated with the merger.”

Penn-Elcom is already supplying connectors to specific locations and regions, and Willems expected the range of its connectors to expand after the CLD merger. Penn-Elcom clients will also be able to purchase elements like punched metalwork, plus, via CLD, connectors and cables as well, all from one entity.

CLD's workshop is currently producing pre-made leads, multicores and stage boxes, along with custom panels and 19 inch products, which are also, produced on site.

CLD, which is a key dealer for Neutrik, has a large inventory of specialty multicore cables, other cables and connectors. CLD also manufactures its own cable assemblies, multis and Neutrik-terminated cables.

CLD is also an experienced purveyor of LED technology, and they sell a full range of GE, Philips, Osram and other lamps.

CLD will continue to trade through its existing dealers in the U.K., Europe and North America. In other markets, products will be distributed through the Penn-Elcom network.

"The combination of Penn Elcom's logistics and CLD's stock profile means a very strong distribution infrastructure is now in place for worldwide distribution, which is an exciting opportunity for all involved,” noted CLD's Nigel Howes.

CLD Distribution INC

For more information, please visit www.cld-dist.com