Thierry Tranchant, Yannick Bétis and Eric Barthélemy have acquired French company Melpomen from UK-based SSE Audio Group on behalf of the B Live Group, a service provider to the live events industry based in France.

Melpomen has a considerable track record as a service provider of sound, lighting and video facilities for major live shows, festivals and touring, and is strengthening its position with the acquisition.

Melpomen’s experience in the installation and integration market, and involvement with clients such as the Stade de France and Parc Asterix will allow the expanded Group to reach a critical size in this developing market sector. Melpomen’s HQ in Nantes also extends B Live’s geographical presence within France, improving support and service to the whole of the Group's activities.

With a revenue of approx. €75m, B Live is now one of the top three suppliers in France and can offer a 360 degree service in Europe for live, festival and touring, events, TV shows and cinema.

Thierry Tranchant, founder and MD of Melpomen remains in charge of the Nantes based company and joins the board of directors of the B Live Group.

Since its merger with SSE Audio Group in 2001, Melpomen has enjoyed growth and expansion through a close working relationship with the UK operation. Since their initial meeting, it became clear that SSE Audio Group MD John Penn, and B Live’s Yannick Bétis and Eric Barthélemy, share similar philosophies about the future development of the entertainment industry. They expect that SSE Audio and B-Live will continue to work together in the future for the mutual benefit of both organisations.

More: www.sseaudiogroup.com