TAIT

TAIT
FormerlyTAIT towers
IndustryEntertainment
Founded1978
FounderMichael Tait
HeadquartersLititz, Pennsylvania,
United States of America
Number of locations
19 (2024)
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Adam Davis (CEO)
ProductsIndustrial Automation, AVL (Audio, Video and Lighting), and IoT (Internet of Things)
BrandsFTSI, ITEC, Brilliant Stages, Thinkwell, Productionglue, Kinesys, Gallagher Staging
Number of employees
2000+ (2024)

TAIT, formerly known as TAIT towers, is a company that provides staging, scenic design, and automation for the live entertainment industry, headquartered in Lititz, Pennsylvania.

The company is a producer of stage designs for productions, including international concert tours, theatrical shows, theme parks, and permanent installations.[1][2][3]

TAIT develops show control technology, including its Navigator automation platform, used to manage stage elements.[3] The company has expanded its scope through the acquisition of several firms, including ITEC, FTSI, Stage Technologies, Brilliant Stages, Thinkwell Group, productionglue, Kinesys, and Gallagher Staging and Productions [4]

History

TAIT was founded in 1978 by Michael Tait. His experience in production and lighting design for rock tours in the 1970s led to the development of early, self-contained lighting systems known as "Tait Towers," which became the company's initial name and focus.[5] Tait relocated the company from the UK to Lititz, Pennsylvania, in 1979 [1][6]

Sign of TAIT headquarters in Lititz, Pennsylvania. It contains the address of the building and has the text "TAIT headquarters".
Sign of TAIT headquarters in Lititz, Pennsylvania

The company grew in the 1980s, expanding into production design.[1][4]

In the mid-2000s, leadership transitioned to James "Winky" Fairorth and Adam Davis,[2] allowing Michael Tait to retire from day-to-day operations. The shift in leadership coincided with an expansion of the company globally, driven by the increasing financial importance of live touring for artists.[2] In 2021, Adam Davis succeeded Fairorth as CEO, overseeing the company's continued growth into new sectors like themed entertainment.[2]

In 2024, a majority stake in TAIT was acquired by a private equity arm of Goldman Sachs.[7]

Acquisitions

Fisher Technical Services - 2012

FTSI began collaborating with TAIT in 2007 on Bon Jovi's Lost Highway Tour, providing winches and the control system for the production.[8] FTSI specialized in mechanical systems, automation controls, software, and rigging.[9][10]

Stage Technologies - 2013

Stage Technologies was an automation company specializing in installations for opera houses, theaters, and automation rental services. The company played a significant role in the automation of productions across London's West End.[11]

productionglue - 2016

productionglue was a live event production company known for delivering brand and marketing events.[12]

Kinesys - 2019

Kinesys was a live event technology company specializing in automation systems for live events. Its products included winches, motion control systems for moving stage elements, drives, load cells, and hoists.[13]

ITEC Entertainment - 2021

ITEC Entertainment was a company specializing in the design and development of themed entertainment experiences, including resorts, rides, and shows. Its notable clients included Disney, Universal Studios, Madison Square Garden Ventures, LEGO, Wanda Group, and Dubai Parks.[14]

Thinkwell Group - 2022

The Thinkwell Group was an experience design and production agency founded in 2001 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California.[15] The firm specialized in the creation of immersive environments, attractions, and events for clients worldwide. Notable projects include Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter in Leavesden; Ski Dubai, an indoor ski resort at the Mall of the Emirates; NatureQuest at Atlanta's Fernbank Museum of Natural History; and the grand opening event for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Parks and Resorts and Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida.

Gallagher Stages and Productions - 2025

Gallagher Staging and Productions specialized in building stages and structures for live events. Its recent projects included tours for artists such as Halsey, Chris Stapleton, and Brooks & Dunn, and the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.[16]

References

  1. ^ a b c Lisle, Tim de (2017-02-09). "The tiny town that builds show-stopping sets for Beyoncé, Kanye and Madonna". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-11-04.
  2. ^ a b c d Natalie Fear (2024-08-17). ""We're an army of joy makers": Adam Davis on designing stages for Beyoncé and Taylor Swift". Creative Bloq. Retrieved 2025-11-04.
  3. ^ a b "TAIT: Inside the super-factory where West End sets are made". The Stage. Retrieved 2025-11-04.
  4. ^ a b Reporter, LISA SCHEID | Business Trends (2024-08-13). "Tait rebrands two companies acquired over 8-year period". LancasterOnline. Retrieved 2025-11-04. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  5. ^ "About". TAIT. Retrieved 2025-11-04.
  6. ^ Jurgensen, John (2014-08-07). "Rock 'n' Roll's Company Town". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  7. ^ TAIT. "TAIT announces equity investment from Goldman Sachs Alternatives' Private Equity Business". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved 2025-11-04.
  8. ^ Lampert-Gréaux, Ellen (2010-12-29). "5 Questions For Scott Fisher And Adam Davis | Live Design Online". www.livedesignonline.com. Retrieved 2025-07-14.
  9. ^ "ABOUT FTSI". Fisher Technical Services. 2011-12-08. Retrieved 2025-07-11.
  10. ^ "Tait Towers and Fisher Technical Services Join Forces - ET Now UK". www.etnow.com. Archived from the original on 2011-04-11. Retrieved 2025-07-11.
  11. ^ Inavate (2015-11-26). "Tait acquires Stage Technologies". Inavate Magazine. Archived from the original on 2025-03-17. Retrieved 2025-07-14.
  12. ^ "productionglue". BizBash. 2011-08-23. Archived from the original on 2025-06-12. Retrieved 2025-07-14.
  13. ^ "Kinesys". www.prg.com. Archived from the original on 2025-04-30. Retrieved 2025-07-14.
  14. ^ "TAIT Acquires ITEC Entertainment". Archived from the original on 2022-09-20. Retrieved 2025-07-14.
  15. ^ Wilson, Sara (2007-10-01). "Group Effort | Entrepreneur". Entrepreneur. Archived from the original on 2025-03-16. Retrieved 2025-07-14.
  16. ^ Writer, CHRIS REBER | Staff (2025-07-11). "Tait expanding to Nashville, Bay Area with latest acquisition". LancasterOnline. Retrieved 2025-07-14.

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