1874

Master blacksmiths Dittrich Conrad Kelle and Adolf Hermann Hildebrandt open a forge workshop in Dresden. In the course of the 20th century, the workshop develops into a renowned specialist for steel and metal construction. 

 The company helps build large steel structures, radio towers, bridges and roofs, such as the 173-tonne main roof of Dresden’s Kreuzkirche church. 

1912

The delivery and installation of the stage machinery for Dresden’s new Schauspielhaus (playhouse) was a ground-breaking step in this technical field, featuring innovations such stage transformation systems based on paternoster elevators.

1951

From the 1950s onwards, as part of the post-war rebuilding effort, the company is commissioned by many venues through Germany to supply stage machinery; SBS also embarks on its first international projects.

1964

In the 1960s, the company applied for patents for numerous technical solutions, including a “device for tilting the platform of stage wagons in theatre stage construction”.

1976

One technical innovation implemented in the so-called “Palace of the Republic” was the specially developed system to transform the large auditorium for different large-scale events. With their hexagonal layout, the audience tiers could be swivelled into almost any desired position. The height of the stage and stalls could also be adjusted. 

The company and the staff involved received numerous awards for this achievement, including the “Fatherland Order of Merit in Gold”. 

1984

The new venue in the Friedrichstraße featured state-of-the-art stage machinery. For the first time, a central stage elevator was combined with a mobile water tank, an ice rink or circus ring wagons to provide rapidly changing effects. 

In total, SBS designed, manufactured and installed approx. 1,280 tonnes of stage machinery. 

1997

Word of the company’s great reputation spreads throughout Europe. SBS wins the contract to supply the new stage technology systems for London’s Royal Opera House.

Photo: Royal Opera House, new exterior ©2018 ROH. Photograph by Luke Hayes

1999

Following a difficult economic period, the company decides to turn itself into a full-service supplier in the field of theatre stage technology and to develop its own control system.

Very quickly the in-house COSTACOwin® control system becomes the industry leader in theatre stage technology. In addition, the Staging Technology Division is founded to construct technical scenery elements to the very highest specifications.

As early as 2000, the famous “Faust” spiral was created for that year’s EXPO in Hanover; the following year, SBS constructed the scenery for the world-famous musical “The Lion King” in Hamburg. SBS reacts to the positive developments and establishes a service branch in Berlin.

2002

SBS wins the international competition to implement the largest stage technology project in the world at that time, namely for the National Theatre in Beijing. This is followed by projects in other Chinese cities such as Hangzhou, Henan and Wuhan. Success in China is followed by contracts in Russia, Vietnam, Oman, Lithuania and Belarus. 

In the same year, SBS opens a branch in Beijing to service its growing business in China. 

Photo: Shanghai Culture Square

2005

Following its success in Beijing, SBS wins numerous international tenders. These usually present unusual technical challenges. SBS was awarded the contract for the National Convention Center in Hanoi for two reasons: The high quality of its project management and its position as a complete supplier with its own in-house control technology.

Photo: Hanoi National Convention Center

2006

In Russia, business is booming. The Alexandrinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg proved to be a real testing ground for unique solutions, as machines often had to be installed in tiny spaces.

At the National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre in Minsk, SBS renews the stage machinery from top to bottom. Encompassing a total of 229 individual machines, Minsk is one of the largest contracts in the company’s history.

After numerous successful projects in Russia, China and the Gulf states, the company expands further. In 2007, for example, SBS opens a branch in St. Petersburg. This is followed in 2008 by another branch in Oman and an office in Hong Kong.

Photo: Nationales Akademisches Opern- und Balletttheater Minsk, SBS Bühnentechnik

2012

The number of unique, high-profile international projects continues to grow.

In Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, SBS installs the complete stage machinery for the newly created Opera and Ballet Theatre, which is the third largest in the world. In St. Petersburg’s Mariinsky II, the company builds one of the largest stages ever tackled in its long history. The control technology in both projects is our own tried-and-tested COSTACOwin® system.

Further projects are realised in Surgut, Reutlingen, Seville, Berlin, Frankfurt, Lisbon and Shanghai.

Photo: Stadthalle Reutlingen, Photodesign Ralph Richter