Procam Acquisition of Take 2 Camera Rental Accelerates Expansion Strategy into UK and US Drama and Feature Markets

• Procam acquires camera division of esteemed London drama and feature rental house Take 2

• Take 2 clients will benefit from Procam’s breadth of experience across UK and New York sites

• Take 2 to enjoy significant investment in camera technology and expansion into Los Angeles

• Procam Group companies, Take 2 and True Lens Services (TLS), to launch 8K-ready lenses

John Brennan, Procam Group CEO (left) and Vince Wild, Director of Take 2 (right) (Photo: Business Wire)

LONDON--()--Procam (www.procam.tv), the UK’s largest cinematography and broadcast hire company, is continuing its expansion plans with the acquisition of Take 2, a leading supplier of professional digital and motion picture production equipment. The takeover of one of London’s best-known rental houses increases Procam’s footprint in supplying UK features and high-end episodic dramas, and is the next step in a long-term strategy to extend Procam’s reach into the US, following the company’s successful expansion into New York last year.

Procam has purchased the complete camera and grip inventory of Take 2’s business for an undisclosed amount, and is also taking on all of the company’s camera and grip staff, whilst maintaining and investing in the Take 2 brand. Take 2’s sister company, Take 2 Lighting, is not part of the acquisition and will be rebranded.

The acquisition of Take 2 by Procam ushers in a new phase of development for the West London company, beginning immediately with a recruitment drive to support several areas of Take 2’s business. Procam will also finance a substantial investment in new camera equipment for Take 2 and is spearheading plans to launch the Take 2 brand in Los Angeles. Additionally, Take 2 and Procam Group company True Lens Services (TLS) are collaborating on the development of a new lens family supporting 4K, 6K and 8K high-resolution sensors, due for release at the end of 2016.

Established in 1999, Take 2 provides top-tier digital and film camera equipment, advice and support to high-profile motion picture and episodic TV series, including US shows shot in the UK. Take 2’s movie credits encompass The King’s Speech (Weinstein Co/UK Film Council), The Imitation Game (Weinstein Co), Paddington (Weinstein Co/Canal+/Heyday Films) and Pride (Pathé/BBC Films/Canal+). Amongst Take 2’s TV credits are the multiple award-winning Wolf Hall (Company Pictures/BBC), plus the well-received productions of Undercover (Baby Cow), Stan Lee’s Lucky Man (Carnival Film & TV), River (Kudos/BBC), Humans (Kudos/Chanel4/AMC), London Spy (Working Title/BBC America/NBC Universal), The Tunnel (Canal+/Kudos/Sky Atlantic) and the forthcoming third series of Peaky Blinders (Tiger Aspect/BBC).

Over the next six months Procam plans to considerably augment Take 2’s inventory, which already comprises a large portfolio of the latest ARRI, RED, Sony and high-speed Phantom digital cinematography cameras, ARRI and Aaton 35mm/16mm cameras, an extensive stock of vintage and bespoke anamorphic, spherical, macro, telephoto and specialist lenses, plus accessories. Take 2 also offers a grip, crane and remote head facility, providing cranes, jibs, remote heads, camera dollies, tripods and grip accessories, as well as a digital post production lab and grading suite.

The strategic purchase of Take 2 was led by Procam’s Group CEO, John Brennan, supported by Group CFO Helen Cardrick. Procam is also pleased to announce the strengthening of its management team: Cardrick has been promoted to Chief Commercial Officer, and Nicholas Marsden is promoted from Head of Finance to Group Finance Director.

“The future is bright for Take 2,” said John Brennan, Group CEO, of Procam. “It is a well-established brand and its highly-respected team now have the additional infrastructure and resources to move the company forward to the next stage, at home and abroad. Procam has successfully taken root in New York, and following the recent extension of tax credits enabling cost-efficient filming in California, we’re looking at taking the Take 2 brand to the US West Coast.”

Brennan added: “The addition of Take 2 also delivers many benefits for Procam’s existing customers, including impeccable production expertise, along with access to some of the rarest film lenses and the best camera and grip equipment in the industry – strengths and technical assets you won’t readily find elsewhere in the global market.”

Vince Wild, Director of Take 2, said: “The acquisition by the Procam Group brings many advantages to Take 2 and our clients can rest assured it is very much business as usual. The combined knowledge of the two companies will benefit producers working in all genres of production. Across the group, they can access the widest range of cameras, lenses and production equipment in the rental market, as well as the latest and greatest technology as it is released. With features and TV dramas being shot in multiple locations throughout the UK, Procam’s regional presence is also of significant value to Take 2’s clientele.”

Contacts

Press contact:
Procam Marketing
Allison Duval, +44 (0) 7788412520
allison.duval@procam.tv

Contacts

Press contact:
Procam Marketing
Allison Duval, +44 (0) 7788412520
allison.duval@procam.tv