Celebrating 50 Years of Raising the Standard of Performance. The maker of entertainment motors, Stagemaker® is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The company’s motors are designed to handle stage and theatrical equipment, enabling the safe and accurate position of lights, stage sets, scenery, and audio gear. The lightweight range is ideal for touring events, reducing time and improving ergonomics for riggers.

A Legacy Begins
In 1975, French manufacturer Verlinde introduced a hoist that would quietly revolutionize the entertainment world. Born from a need for safe, compact lifting in theaters and live event venues, was designed specifically for the demanding requirements of rigging professionals. The product’s arrival helped set the stage (literally) for a new era of overhead lifting.

Setting the Standard in Entertainment Rigging
From the beginning, Stagemaker has delivered performance-driven solutions that meet evolving rigging and safety standards, including D8, D8+ and C1 compliance. Its compact form, quiet operation and precision made it ideal for:

– Theaters and opera houses
– Touring productions
– Convention centers
– Stadium and arena shows

And over the decades, Stagemaker has introduced features like dual braking systems, IP-66 rated enclosures and the patented Chain Flux and nitrate plated DC brake technology to remain ahead of industry demands.

A Global Presence, Backed by Industry Leaders
Today, Stagemaker is supported by R&M Material Handling in the Americas. Our global supply chain and world-class engineer-ing ensure responsive service and dependable distribution for riggers and production teams worldwide. Now celebrating its 50th year, Stagemaker continues to evolve. The latest SR Series offers:

– Quiet operation suitable for live event environments
– Ergonomic, compact design with non-reflective black finish
– Patented Chain Flux technology for smoother, longer-lasting chain guidance
– Flexible mounting for motor-up or motor-down configurations
– Double brake and single brake options for robust safety compliance across models

Most recently, the SR line expanded with two new models:

– SR1: 0.25 t Working Load Limit
– SR1.5: 0.32 t Working Load Limit

Both available in D8 and D8+ configurations, these models meet the growing demand for lightweight touring gear and LED structure applications, while maintaining the core features riggers expect.

Introducing the SL Hoist
For even more demanding applications, the new Stagemaker SL Series pushes boundaries further. Featuring IP66-rated pro-tection, a new nitride DC brake and a robust design tailored for high-endurance use, the SL line brings a new level of reliability and durability to the stage. It’s the next evolution for riggers requiring performance beyond the SR standard.

Celebrating Our Partners in Performance
As we mark this 50-year legacy, we extend our thanks to:

– The riggers and techs who rely on Stagemaker every day
– The distributors and service teams who support the motors behind the scenes
– The partners and producers who keep raising the bar

Your trust and feedback continue to shape every new generation of Stagemaker.

Looking Ahead
As live events become more immersive and technically complex, Stagemaker is ready for the future – supporting safe, seamless rigging with modern engineering and dedicated global support. Here’s to 50 years of lifting the show—and many more to come. For inquiries or to start a conversation, please contact our Business Development Manager and entertainment industry veteran, Joaquin (Jay) Cid, at jay.cid@rmhoist.com.

Explore Stagemaker Solutions
Have a story to share? They’d love to hear where Stagemaker has taken you. Contact them at rm.stagemaker@rmhoist.com.