BUSINESS: R&D
The current manufacturing division
of the business incorporates a
team responsible for R&D and
assembly. Although many aspects
of the manufacturing process such
as spray-painting are out-sourced,
a woodworking area with two CNC
machines, a metal shop, testing
area and shipping department is
responsible for the fortunes of the AA
series, which Mr Roberts labels the
ultimate boutique brand for those
who understand that sound really
matters.
Harking back to Adlib’s origins, the
AA range was designed to marry
affordability with high quality. ‘There
was always a cost implication in
buying known brands and a huge
desire on our part to develop our
own,’ continues Mr Roberts. ‘Our
pedigree from installations to highend corporate events and industry
shows gives us an edge. I can count
on the ngers of one hand how many
times we have been called back to
site to solve a problem. Not many
other companies can claim that over
15 years. It took us a while to realise
that our speakers were perhaps our
best kept secret, so the time has
arrived to make the market aware.’
A roll-call of high-pro le installations
to date include the world famous
Cavern Club in Liverpool, plus
numerous other venues throughout
the UK. Even more restaurant
Adlib worked on the UK’s
Summertime Ball 2013
The AA range from Adlib
environments, houses of worship
and educational establishments
bear the AA speaker brand as
permanent xtures. Inevitably,
Adlib is now looking towards export
markets. ‘We’re not looking for world
domination,’ explains Mr Roberts.
‘Many people will quite rightly ask if
the market needs another speaker
brand. But we rmly believe that our
unique expertise in the competitive
UK live and installation markets has
given us an edge. We couldn’t have
achieved what we have done if the
AA series was simply okay. All those
using them appreciate the warmth,
richness and natural sound quality.’
Bob Harrison of QMS Music has
been commissioned to establish an
international dealer network and
proactively market the AA product
line. ‘I am extremely excited to
be working with Adlib on bringing
this amazing product range to the
marketplace,’ he says. ‘We’re going
Ellie Goulding is among the many artists with whom Adlib regularly works
to enjoy a long and very positive
working relationship that will see the
AA series develop in its own right as a
leading edge option.’
Although 25 per cent of the
Merseyside company’s current
business can be attributed to the
installation sector, there appears to
be little pressure on its export drive
given its versatile, multi-faceted
Loudspeaker designer Dave Fletcher
business plan. ‘Our MD, Andy, has
always maintained that we’re only
as good as our last job, and that you
have to continually invest to stand
still. Our standards are therefore
very high and ensure that we don’t
slip, but our success also owes a
lot to the passion of the employees.
One of the company’s greatest
achievements has been putting a
team of like minds together – people
with passion who care about what
they do more than the potential
of nancial rewards. We accept
that growth is good but we’re not
looking to damage our reputation
by growing too fast as that could
cause problems internally. Our
desire to export the AA series is
almost like beta testing, but the
early indications from both Chinese
and Indian customers are extremely
positive. There’s no middle-men
involved here – we’re working
directly with the market and that will
allow us to maintain unparalleled
price performance bene ts.’
Adlib Audio’s can-do attitude and
expertise coupled with a strong work
ethic represents the rising fortunes
of the UK as a manufacturing
exporter. As it continues to grow in
size and stature, it will be interesting
to monitor the emergence of the AA
brand internationally.
www.adlibspeakers.co.uk
19 inch Racking
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Flight
Flight Case Hardware
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1/2 Horizontal
Speaker
Speaker Cabinet Hardware
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July–August 2014 PRO AUDIO ASIA 133