Penn-Elcom Acquires And Integrates CLD Distribution

It has completed a successful integration of CLD - which will continue with its own operation, identity and trading contacts - under the Penn-Elcom umbrella.

CLD Distribution was founded in 1984 as a wholesale business dedicated to lamps, lighting, audio and colour components and consumables for the professional lighting and sound industry, and is a leading supplier to installation and service companies. It is still headed by founder Nigel Howes and Sandra Connolly.

Starting in Loxwood, West Sussex, UK, the operation moved to the Penn Fabrication site in Hastings in 2000, when more space was required.
Penn-Elcom has been trading in both directions with CLD Distribution for about 20 years, in a healthy crossover relationship which has also seen Penn-Elcom supply many of the different components and parts offered by CLD to their own client base. With enormous benefits to both companies working in the same industry, each with its individual and different product profile, the duality has continued to strengthen and grow.

Said Penn-Elcom Chairman Roger Willems: "CLD fills a large gap in the Penn-Elcom ranges, and their encyclopaedic knowledge in the world of connectors and lamps will be of great benefit to our clients. It is a perfect match and it's very exciting for all of us to be working together - there has always been a lot of mutual respect, and this is consolidated with the merger".

Penn-Elcom is already proactive in supplying connectors to specific locations and regions, and with the CLD merger, the additional investment and the access to even greater expertise, Willems expects the connector ranges offered by Penn-Elcom to expand as a result.
There will also be the additional convenience to Penn-Elcom's clients of being able to purchase elements like punched metalwork from them, and now (via CLD), the connectors and cables to complete the connection, all from one entity.

CLD's large, comprehensively equipped and highly efficient workshop is currently producing pre-made leads, multicores and stage boxes, along with custom panels and 19 inch products which are also produced onsite.

Main dealers for Neutrik, CLD has a large stock holding of all products and are renowned aficionados in the somewhat esoteric field of cables, connectors and multicore cables in particular. CLD manufactures its own cable assemblies, multis and all the standard Neutrik terminated cables using only the highest quality products available.

On the lamp side of the business, CLD has been specialising in LEDs for some time, so their considerable body knowledge and history in this field is of great value as the technology has really taken off.  They still also sell a full range of GE, Philips, Osram and other lamps.
CLD will continue to trade through its existing UK dealers, and internationally will be established in key areas like Europe and North America in its own right. In other markets, products will be distributed through the extensive Penn-Elcom network.

Said CLD's Nigel Howes: "The combination of Penn Elcom's logistics and CLD's stock profile means a very strong distribution infrastructure is now in place for worldwide distribution, which is an exciting opportunity for all involved".