CES Power acquires Echo, telecom digital infrastructure provider for live events
CES Power LLC (Memphis, TN) a global provider of mobile power generation, distribution and temperature control equipment who offers a full range of technology driven power services to the broadcasting, entertainment, and industrial sectors, today announced that it has acquired Echo Technologies Services, LLC, a telecommunications company specializing in comprehensive connectivity services, including WiFi, live streaming, CCTV, and fiber transport to music festivals, live sports, and other special events throughout North America.
Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. CES Power is backed by industrial-focused private equity firm Allied Industrial Partners (AIP), a lower and middle market private equity firm founded in 2019 that thematically invests in high-growth companies within various industrial subsectors, including industrial rentals, manufacturing, distribution, environmental services and critical infrastructure.
Per information a press release, Echo will now be combined with CES Power's Brickworks to create CES Technologies, a new division dedicated to serving its customers' advanced technology needs. Brickworks, which was acquired by CES Power in September 2022, is a provider of smart mapping software and Geographic Information System (GIS) services.
Echo provides digital and physical infrastructure for total festival connectivity, including structured cabling, WiFi, CCTV, and fiber construction, to enable point of sale (POS) transactions, RFID access control, WiFi connectivity and live streaming at large, live events.
Founded by Jay Henderson, who will be joining CES Technologies, Echo provides reliable and affordable network services to a variety of customers, notably including Live Nation, Ticketmaster, and Front Gate Tickets.
Greg Landa, CEO of CES Power, said:
"We are excited to welcome Jay and the entire Echo team as we continue to pursue our goal of becoming the global leader in providing full-service technology and energy solutions to the largest live events in the country. We are also proud to launch CES Technologies, which combines the complementary tech offerings of Echo and Brickworks in one software and interactive mapping platform, allowing clients and partners to have access to a full suite of connected and integrated services for real-time data and monitoring."
Echo achieves superior levels of system uptime by leveraging its state-of-the-art mobile command center platform, comprised of advanced hardware including integrated telescoping antenna masts, redundant routing and switching, high-density WiFi access points, integrated solar power, and lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery storage.
Meanwhile, Echo notes its advanced network software enables real-time monitoring and among the highest levels of cybersecurity in the industry.
CES's Henderson said:
"Premier live events and venues are looking to partner with providers that can meet all of their technology and power needs, and by joining CES Power, Echo can now offer our clients a one-stop shop of leading infrastructure solutions. We look forward to becoming part of the newly launched CES Technologies team and the accompanying growth opportunities."
Echo represents CES Power's fifth acquisition since being acquired by AIP in June 2021. The company said it will continue to actively seek further add-on acquisitions in areas of strategic interest.
"The acquisition of Echo and the creation of CES Technologies is an important step in achieving the strategic growth plan we set out for CES Power," said Bradford Rossi and Philip Wright, co-founders and managing partners at AIP. "Maintaining network uptime is critical at live events, and with the addition of Echo, CES Power is now a leading provider of mission critical services in its industry."
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