Equipson

Equipson: 30 Years of Innovation and Resilience in the Audio and Lighting Industry

    In this interview, José Luis, founder of Equipson, shares his personal perspective on the company's beginnings, its biggest challenges and achievements, the evolution of the industry, and future plans.
    A unique look at Equipson's journey through the eyes of its creator.

    1. How was Equipson born? What inspired its creation?

    Equipson was born at the end of 1994, during a time when I felt the need to evolve. The economic situation wasn’t easy, and I couldn’t wait much longer to act. After several conversations with different people, I decided to create a company with its own brands. The main       obstacle was the lack of capital to get started, but I managed to find a manufacturing partner, and together we created the brands Work & Mark. And so, on January 1st, 1995, the company was officially born.

    2. What were the biggest challenges in the early years?

     The first years were very tough. The economy was struggling, and we had to sell quickly to generate income and keep growing. We had no sales representatives, so I traveled all over Spain to sell our products. The competition was fierce, and some thought we wouldn’t last  long—but here we are, 30 years later. We entered the market with affordable products, which was already saturated. Plus, our brand was new and unknown. However, experience and the support of certain people helped us move forward.

    3. What was a key turning point in the company’s history?

The arrival of Juanjo Vila was a major turning point. Juanjo, my eldest son and an engineer, came from working at multinationals in Madrid. When he joined us, we completely rethought the company’s strategy. That’s when we decided to invest in R&D, which allowed us to start developing our own products and gave us a competitive advantage.

4. How has the audio, lighting, and AV industry evolved since you started?

The evolution has been impressive, a 100% change. In the 60s, with the arrival of the Beatles, amplifiers and speakers for music groups became popular. At first, sound equipment was only sold in music instrument stores. Over the years, electronics gained ground and specialized sound stores appeared. Today, audio is found in restaurants, schools, and gyms, and public address systems are no longer exclusive to churches or cultural events. On the visual side, the market has also evolved, with technologies like projectors and LED screens transforming communication.

"Our greatest success is that we are still here"

5. What do you consider Equipson’s greatest achievements in these 30 years?

The biggest achievement is that we are still here after 30 years. The 1994 crisis was very tough, but I always thought that if we could survive that difficult moment, it would be easier afterward. We have overcome economic crises, pandemics, and natural disasters. Today, we are a group of three companies (Equipson, AudioMusic, and Fantek) and remain well positioned in the audio and lighting sector. For me, the greatest success is our adaptability and longevity in such a competitive market.

6. Is there any project or product you are especially proud of?

There are many products I am proud of, but if I had to highlight one, it would be the Light Shark mixer. This product has earned us worldwide recognition. Also, the 12-inch Vox speaker had great success. Over the years, we have had several key products at different times that have helped us grow and consolidate.

7. How has your approach to product and solution development changed over time?

At first, we didn’t have an R&D department. We bought products, branded them, and adapted them to market needs. However, with Juanjo’s arrival, we started developing our own products. That was a fundamental change. Nowadays, innovation is central to our strategy and has allowed us to differentiate and grow.

8. What values have guided Equipson through these three decades?

Many values have accompanied us, but I would highlight teamwork and making the right product decisions. 

9. What role has the human team played in the company’s success?

The human team has been essential. We have all rowed in the same direction, and collaboration has been key to overcoming challenges and achieving goals. Without a committed and motivated team, we wouldn’t have come this far.

10. How have you managed to stay relevant in such a competitive sector?

The key has been constant innovation and the ability to adapt to market needs. Also, we have always focused on quality and differentiation. The sector is very competitive, but we have stayed relevant by offering unique and high-quality products.

11. How do you see Equipson today compared to its beginnings?

At first, Equipson was a small company with only four employees. Today, we have a team of around 100 people, showing the company’s growth. Despite current commercial challenges, we keep adapting and looking for new opportunities to stay competitive.

12. What trends do you think will shape the future of the sector?

High competitiveness and a fast pace of innovation will continue to characterize the sector. Companies must launch new and attractive products to stand out since customers have more options than ever. Additionally, online sales have completely changed the landscape, so companies must rethink their commercial strategies and customer service.

13. What are Equipson’s future plans? How do you envision the company in 10 years?

Equipson’s evolution has been remarkable, and today we are in our best position. I don’t know if we’ll still be here in 30 years, but in the next 10 years, I hope we keep growing, adapting to the market, and exploring new opportunities. The key is to remain flexible and open to change.

14. Any message you want to share with clients, employees, and collaborators who have been part of this journey?

I am very grateful to have an exceptional team, with employees who have been with us for decades. We thank all our clients, colleagues, and collaborators for their trust and support over these 30 years. "I hope we continue growing and evolving together in the future."