August 28, 2026, marks the golden jubilee of Claypaky, a milestone that commemorates five decades of transformative contributions to the global entertainment and architectural lighting industries. Exactly fifty years ago today, on August 28, 1976, Pasquale “Paky” Quadri founded the company in the province of Bergamo, Northern Italy, driven by a philosophy that was revolutionary for its time: the belief that light could be far more than a mere utility for visibility. Quadri envisioned light as a creative medium, an emotional tool capable of defining spaces, enhancing performances, and captivating audiences. From its humble beginnings as a specialized manufacturer of discotheque lighting, Claypaky has ascended to become a preeminent global brand, synonymous with technical precision, Italian craftsmanship, and the "Made in Italy" seal of quality.
The Visionary Origins of Pasquale Quadri
The story of Claypaky is inextricably linked to the foresight of its founder, Pasquale Quadri. In the mid-1970s, the entertainment lighting market was largely utilitarian, consisting of static lamps and basic color filters. Quadri’s insistence on "lighting as art" pushed the boundaries of what was technologically possible. By establishing the company in Seriate, within the industrial heartland of Lombardy, he tapped into a local culture of precision engineering and design.
Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, Claypaky focused on the burgeoning nightclub and disco scene, which demanded increasingly dynamic and rhythmic visual effects. This era saw the release of iconic fixtures such as the Astroraggi, an effect light that became a staple of high-end venues worldwide. However, it was the company’s pivot toward the broader professional entertainment market—including concerts, television, and theater—that would eventually cement its status as an industry titan.
A Legacy of Technological Milestones
The trajectory of Claypaky is defined by several key products that did not merely follow market trends but established entirely new categories of lighting. In 1988, the company introduced the Golden Scan, a product that arguably changed the face of live entertainment. It was the first moving-mirror scanner to utilize micro-stepping motors, allowing for unprecedented precision in beam movement and effects. The Golden Scan became so ubiquitous in the late 1980s and 1990s that it entered popular culture, serving as the namesake for the hit song "Golden Skans" by the British indie-rock band Klaxons.
Following the success of the Golden Scan, Claypaky continued to innovate through the digital revolution. In 2010, the company launched the Sharpy, a compact, lightweight moving head with an incredibly bright, parallel beam. The Sharpy revolutionized stage design by allowing designers to create "architectural" structures of light in the air, using beams that remained sharp over vast distances. It remains one of the best-selling moving heads in the history of the industry and has been a fixture on nearly every major world tour for over a decade.
More recently, the 2024 launch of the Ultimo family signaled the company’s commitment to the next generation of lighting technology. These fixtures integrate advanced LED and laser sources with sophisticated optics, providing lighting designers with a versatile palette of colors and effects while maintaining the energy efficiency required by modern sustainability standards.
Half a Century of Global Influence
For more than 20 years, Claypaky’s luminaires have been central to the visual identity of the Eurovision Song Contest, an event known for pushing the absolute limits of stage technology. The company’s influence extends to the world’s most-watched sporting and cultural events, including the Super Bowl Halftime Show, the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games, and the elaborate, multi-sensory productions of Cirque du Soleil.
The brand’s presence is equally dominant in the world of live music. Claypaky fixtures have toured with a diverse roster of legendary and contemporary artists, including The Rolling Stones, Beyoncé, Coldplay, and Bad Bunny. This global reach is reflected in the company’s economic data; today, approximately 95 percent of Claypaky’s production is exported to more than 80 countries. This export-driven model has allowed the company to weather regional economic fluctuations and maintain a steady growth trajectory for five decades.
Corporate Evolution and Strategic Partnerships
While Claypaky’s brand identity has remained steadfast, its corporate structure has evolved to meet the demands of a consolidating global market. In 2014, the company was acquired by the German lighting giant Osram, a move that provided Claypaky with enhanced R&D resources and access to cutting-edge semiconductor technology. Following a strategic realignment at Osram, the company was sold to Arri in 2023, a move that brought together two of the most prestigious names in film and entertainment technology.
In a significant shift that took place in May 2025, Claypaky became part of EK Lights. This transition was viewed by industry analysts as a strategic "homecoming" of sorts, as EK Lights had been a long-term development partner for Claypaky. Despite these changes in ownership, the company’s core remains unchanged: the headquarters, product development, and manufacturing facilities remain firmly rooted in Seriate, Italy. This commitment to local production ensures that the brand retains the specialized expertise and artisanal quality that have defined it since 1976.
Industry Implications and the "Beyond the Light Source" Strategy
As Claypaky enters its sixth decade, the company is navigating a rapidly changing technological landscape. The industry is moving away from purely hardware-centric models toward integrated ecosystems. Claypaky’s current innovation strategy, described as "beyond the light source," focuses on the intersection of traditional hardware with digital services.
This involves the integration of Cloud platforms, the Internet of Things (IoT), and advanced software solutions. Modern Claypaky fixtures are no longer just lights; they are data-rich nodes in a network. These systems allow for remote diagnostics, predictive maintenance, and real-time asset tracking—features that are becoming essential for large-scale rental houses and complex touring productions. By embracing these digital services, Claypaky aims to provide a comprehensive solution that covers the entire lifecycle of a lighting fixture, from design and installation to operation and maintenance.
Statements and Future Outlook
Reflecting on the 50th anniversary, industry observers note that Claypaky’s longevity is a rarity in a sector characterized by rapid obsolescence. "Claypaky has managed to stay relevant by never losing sight of the artistic intent behind the technology," says one industry analyst. "While others focus solely on lumens and specifications, Claypaky has always focused on how those lumens make the audience feel. That was Paky Quadri’s gift, and it remains the company’s DNA."
The company has expressed deep gratitude to its global network of distributors, rental partners, lighting designers, and technicians. To celebrate the occasion, Claypaky has launched various commemorative initiatives, including the "Bricky 50th Anniversary Collector’s Model," a limited-edition item available through a special promotional giveaway ending on September 3, 2026.
As the entertainment industry continues to recover and evolve in the post-pandemic era, the demand for high-quality, reliable, and innovative lighting solutions is at an all-time high. With its robust product pipeline and a renewed focus on digital integration under the EK Lights umbrella, Claypaky is well-positioned to lead the market for the next fifty years. The golden jubilee is not just a celebration of past achievements, but a launchpad for a future where light continues to transform the human experience in ways Pasquale Quadri could only have dreamed of in 1976.
Summary of Key Milestones (1976–2026)
- 1976: Founded by Pasquale Quadri in Bergamo, Italy.
- 1983: Launch of the Astroraggi, defining the early disco lighting era.
- 1988: Introduction of the Golden Scan, the first precision moving-mirror scanner.
- 2010: Release of the Sharpy, creating the "beam" fixture category.
- 2014: Acquisition by Osram; death of founder Pasquale Quadri.
- 2023: Acquisition by Arri, focusing on high-end entertainment synergy.
- 2024: Launch of the Ultimo family, integrating LED and laser technology.
- 2025: Acquisition by EK Lights, reinforcing development and manufacturing ties.
- 2026: 50th Anniversary celebrations and the "Beyond the Light Source" digital initiative.
The 50-year journey of Claypaky serves as a testament to the power of a single vision and the enduring value of quality engineering. From the small workshops of Seriate to the world’s biggest stages, Claypaky has illuminated the path for the professional lighting industry, ensuring that the legacy of "Paky" Quadri continues to shine brightly across the globe.
