Los Angeles—SIM Digital, one of the leading suppliers of digital production equipment and post production services in North America, today announced that it has acquired PS Production Services Ltd, one of Canada’s largest rental houses for lighting, grip, generators, digital cameras and dolly equipment.  The move is the latest in a series of acquisitions by SIM Digital and is part of an ongoing global strategy to be the most comprehensive provider of motion picture and television services in North America.

Founded by the late Doug Dales in 1972, PS Production Services serves U.S. and Canadian motion picture and television producers through offices in Toronto, Vancouver and Halifax and has more than 130 employees.  Since Dales’ untimely death in 2010, the company has built on his legacy and continued to experience significant growth.

“Doug was someone I very much admired and respected,” said Rob Sim, President and CEO of SIM Digital.  “Both of our companies came from humble beginnings and through hard work and constant dedication, we were able to successfully grow them into what 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 by our management team who worked diligently to see SIM and PS come together.”

Through this acquisition, SIM Digital gains additional resources, a strong regional sales network, and experienced staff.  Integration with SIM’s Canadian facilities will begin immediately.  “There are tremendous synergies with this acquisition,” said SIM Digital Chief Strategy Officer James Martin.  “It enhances our ability to bundle and deliver full-service solutions to our clients.”

SIM Digital worked with Granite Partners, a leading mid-market investment firm to complete the acquisition. Granite played an integral role and will be working in partnership with SIM moving forward.

The acquisition of PS Production Services follows SIM’s recent acquisition of Bling Digital, a U.S. and Canadian specialist in post-production technologies and workflows, and Master Key Finishing, a Los Angeles post-production facility. The company has also been extending its footprint through an expansion of its facilities in Los Angeles and Atlanta.  Its goal is to provide complete production and post-production solutions to producers throughout North America and, ultimately, in other production centers around the globe.  Further acquisitions and expansion moves are planned.

SIM Digital believes that the motion picture and television industry is undergoing revolutionary change driven by emerging digital production and post-production technologies, innovative workflow strategies and the globalization of production. Service providers need to embrace new digital strategies to meet producers’ rapidly evolving needs.

“We are committed to supporting producers, wherever they happen to be located, observed SIM Digital Chief Technology Officer Chris Parker, “by providing them with tools and expertise that enable them to work with maximum quality, efficiency and creativity.”

(Photo IDs: SIM Digital Chief Strategy Officer James Martin ; SIM Digital Chief Technology Officer Chris Parker.)

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. 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, finishing 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.