“That was our most spectacular project so far,” says Lightpower Managing Director Ralph-Jörg Wezorke proudly. More than 2,500 spotlights and 150 large-scale projectors – operated from six different control stations – created an incomparable sea of light and color in the “Bird's Nest.” The planning and preparation time necessary to achieve this was a nearly record-breaking period of two years. Wezorke notes: “Never before had so many spotlights been interconnected for a single lighting event.”

The medium-sized business loves taking on new ventures. Exceptional challenges are no problem for this specialist in professional stage lighting and show technology. Thus, the company's reference list reads like a “who's who” of show business: The Police, Genesis, Madonna, Celine Dion, Carlos Santana and Bruce Springsteen all illuminate their concerts with Lightpower equipment. The company's repertoire includes events such as the “Singapore National Day Parade” or the “Last Night of the Proms” in London, in addition to equipping international concert halls and even cruise ships. Wherever a particular lighting atmosphere is needed – Lightpower has the answer.

The founders Jürgen Proppe and Leo Hövelkröger began in 1978 by renting small lighting systems to music bands out of their garage. Two years later, Wezorke joined in as a partner – the beginning of a rise to success like that of a fairy tale. It was the time of “Saturday Night Fever.” Discos were popping up everywhere. Lightpower began equipping these dance halls with modern lighting systems. The little company quickly outgrew the garage and moved into its first, very-own office building.

In the mid-1980s, Wezorke began incorporating new business fields into the company's portfolio. Effective immediately, the company became a wholesale dealer for spotlights, lighting effect equipment and special effects. Soon afterwards, the company launched its first, very-own product label “MAJOR Lighting,” which was used to market high-quality spotlights all over the world. Lightpower became an exclusive distributor of many renowned brands in Germany and increased its efforts in the theater and television segment. This really paid off. The company's change in strategy accelerated its growth, new locations were added. Competence centers were created in London, Dubai, Singapore and São Paulo.

Now, its more than 100 staff members worldwide generate an annual turnover of around 50 million euros. Clients from all over the world travel to the city near the edge of the Teutoburg Forest to see the modern stage lighting technology and to try things out in the company's vast studio. Or to take part in a class about the correct way to handle professional equipment.

“Of course, we could also offer our seminars in Hamburg, Munich or London,” Director Wezorke points out, “but Paderborn has an incredible advantage – it is so centrally located that visitors from throughout Germany are able to travel to and from the city within one day.” This is due to the fact that there are two ICE train stations in the vicinity of the 140,000-resident city, as well as an airport providing direct connections to nearly all European metropolitan regions and highway interchanges leading in every direction.

In the company's 30-year corporate history, the topic of relocation has never been up for debate. “That is because we value the quality of life we have here,” says Wezorke. From his own experience, the father of four children knows: “Those who work in mega metropolises like London must endure multiple hours of traffic stress nearly every day – that not only has a negative influence on one's job and colleagues, but on one's family life as well.”

This sort of attitude is greatly appreciated by those who apply for jobs at Lightpower. In interviews with candidates from all over Germany, Paderborn's high number of leisure and relaxation opportunities always poses a strong argument. Additionally, the reservoir of future talents cultivated by the university is virtually inexhaustible. And finally, the show and event business remains an attractive field. “We have never known a shortage of skilled workers here,” Werzorke concludes.