Robe’s roots can be traced back to when Ladislav Petrek began importing PAR cans, mirror balls, and various other pieces of lighting equipment from Germany into what was then known as Czechoslovakia, and spotted a growing market for lighting installations taking shape post Velvet Revolution. This led to Ladislav starting to design and build sound activated lighting effects that were then marketed through his company ProLux. Josef Valchar was recruited as a Sales Manager and in 1993 the pair started to design their first Scans. Valchar had his sights squarely set on developing an entire product range and selling into other parts of Europe. Robe Show Lighting was born in 1994.

Robe’s first Frankfurt ProLight & Sound exhibition scored their first OEM customer – Steinigke Showtechnic GmbH. Robe’s initial products were scanners and sound activated fixtures. Also their ‘Dominator’ effect broke new ground in using the first generation of servo motors, and all Robe products were made DMX controllable from this point onwards. Rimini 1995 saw the launch of new scanners, using the first generation of stepper motors – upping the success and reliability stakes.