SIM Digital Acquires PS Production Services
SIM Digital announced today that it has acquired PS Production Services Ltd, one of Canada’s largest lighting, grip, generator, digital camera,and dolly equipment rental houses with offices in Vancouver, Toronto and Halifax. This latest move by SIM follows a string of acquisitions including Bling Digital in 2009 and Master Key Finishing in 2012. The amalgamation of services saw SIM strengthen its global position as the most comprehensive service provider for the motion picture and television industry. The addition of PS further fuels those offerings, a service model that has been widely embraced by the industry.
Founded by Doug Dales in 1972, PS has grown from a small two-man team to become one of Canada’s most recognizable grip and lighting rental houses with over 130 employees. Despite Doug’s untimely passing two years ago, PS continued his legacy with genuine pride as seen through its significant growth.
ai???Doug was someone I very much admired and respected,ai??? said Rob Sim, President and CEO of SIM Digital. ai???Both of our companies started out with humble beginnings and through hard work and constant dedication, we were both able to successfully grow our companies to where they are today. Our cultures are very similar so when this opportunity presented itself, I couldn’t think of two companies that better complemented one another. That thought was echoed throughout our management team, who worked diligently to see the SIM and PS deal come together.ai???
ai???There are tremendous synergies with this latest acquisition,ai??? stated SIM’s Chief Strategy Officer, James Martin. ai???We were fortunate to have the support of Granite Partners, a leading Canadian investment firm in bringing this deal to fruition. Granite has played an integral role in finalizing the acquisition and will be working in partnership with SIM moving forward.ai???
The ability to deliver the most comprehensive service offering available in the industry today played a key role for both parties working so diligently to get a deal done. ai???PS is already recognized as a first class grip and lighting facility and when you combine that with our expertise in cameras along with our Bling Post Division, we now have the ability to bundle and deliver full-service solutions which have become incredibly attractive to our clients working throughout North America,ai??? said SIM’s Chief Operating Officer, John DeBoer.
Current PS President and CEO, Douglas Barrett, who, after almost 7 years at the helm of PS, will be stepping aside to pursue new ventures. ai???I have thoroughly enjoyed my years at PS and extend my sincere thanks and best wishes to all my former colleagues,ai??? said Barrett. ai???While everyone at PS is tremendously proud of what we have achieved together, the passing of company founder Doug Dales in 2010 made it inevitable the company would be sold. PS and SIM are both great companies and, I know that together,they will be unstoppable.ai???
Commenting on the deal and the future for PS Rae Thurston, Chief Operating Officer of PS, said, ai???This is the beginning of a new and exciting chapter for both SIM and PS as we move forward as a unified company providing our combined group of customers with the best products and services in the industry.ai???Integration between the two companies will begin immediately with all SIM Canadian offices now offering digital cameras, lenses & accessories; lighting, grip and package trucks, as well as Bling Post Services including: dailies, data management, off-line post production and finishing.
About SIM Digital
With offices across the USA, Canada and China, SIM Digital is a world-class rental facility specializing in digital production equipment and workflow services. SIM offers one of the largest and most diverse inventories of the latest digital cinematography tools from top manufacturers including ARRI, Sony, RED, Panasonic, Canon, Fujinon, Angenieux, Zeiss, Cooke, etc. In tandem with its innovative Bling Digital division, the company offers the industry’s most comprehensive workflow solutions for feature and television production, encompassing cameras, data, dailies, offline editorial, final color grading and online, and archiving. For more information, visit www.simdigital.com.
About PS Production Services
PS Production Services Ltd. is one of Canada’s largest professional motion picture and television production equipment rental houses. Through offices in Toronto, Vancouver and Halifax they supply production equipment that includes camera, lighting, grip, data management, dollies, package trucks, remote heads and cranes to the Canadian entertainment industry. The PS team of professionals supports projects ranging from small independents to large U.S. productions. For more information, visit www.psps.com.
About Granite Partners
Founded in 1996, Granite Partners is one of Canada’s most successful mid-market private, investment firms. Granite has an unparalleled track record of helping owner managers build upon and unlock the value they have created in their businesses. Since inception, Granite has consistently delivered exceptional returns to its limited partners as well as the owner managers of the companies it invests in.