M&S Showtechniek

M&S Showtechniek was founded in 2011 in Amersfoort by two friends who first met in high school. Both were part of their school’s theater technology group and shared a passion for technical production. With their first savings, they purchased a small disco setup—much like many aspiring AV professionals do when starting out.

Fast forward 14 years, M&S Showtechniek now manages approximately 600 projects annually, serving clients across the Netherlands and internationally. Their primary focus is on corporate clients, supporting conferences, trade shows, and business presentations. Although they don’t work on festivals or large public events, they do offer dry hire services to industry peers.

A Hobby Turned Career

For Pim, the owner of M&S Showtechniek, the driving force behind the company is the enjoyment of his work. “The most important thing for me is being excited to go to work every day. We’re not the kind of company that sets rigid numerical goals. After all, when crises like COVID-19 strike, all your plans go out the window.”

Pim envisions sustainable growth but emphasizes maintaining a manageable scale. “I’d like to grow a little, but I don’t want a team of 40 employees. Our focus is on taking on interesting, meaningful projects.”

The company’s roots as a hobby remain a significant part of its identity. “If this ever stops being fun—if I have to wear a suit to work because it’s become too serious—then I’ll know it’s time to walk away. That’s just not what I want this to be about,” Pim adds.

The Challenges

One of the biggest operational hurdles for M&S Showtechniek is managing the logistics of their equipment. With over 600 projects a year and a relatively small team, keeping track of gear leaving and returning to the warehouse can be tricky, particularly during peak periods.

“Making sure every item is accounted for—especially when working under tight deadlines—requires precision. Scanning unique QR codes in our Rentman app can help, but when time is tight, even that process can feel cumbersome,” explains Pim.

Finding a Solution

To streamline their operations, the team explored new technologies. After several on-site demonstrations and tests, they discovered the potential of RFID technology to revolutionize their workflow.

“RFID has been a game-changer for us. It saves us time and gives us a much better overview of our inventory. For example, if something goes missing, we can quickly trace it back to its last known location,” says Pim.

While the initial appeal of RFID lay in the time savings, its real value became clear once implemented. The technology allows for precise tracking and oversight of equipment, reducing losses and improving accountability.

“Tracking lost or damaged equipment has been the biggest benefit. If an item is returned damaged, or if something doesn’t come back at all, we can pinpoint exactly when and where the issue occurred.

For instance, we recently had a case involving two missing items after an international trade show. Thanks to RFID, we could confidently confirm that the items left our warehouse and were scanned into the shipment. That level of clarity is invaluable.”

The Implementation Process

Introducing RFID wasn’t without its challenges, but the learning process proved worthwhile.

“Of course, there were lessons to learn,” Pim shares. “We initially tagged some items, only to realize later that metal interference prevented proper scanning. Over time, we refined our approach—adjusting how and where we placed the tags.”

Despite the trial-and-error process, the results have exceeded expectations. “Implementing RFID is a journey, but the benefits far outweigh the initial hurdles. It has been transformative for our workflows.”

Find M&S Showtechniek on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/m-s-showtechniek/