Leading North American
supplier of production technology expands its post-production footprint.

Los Angeles—The
SIM Group has reached an agreement in principle to merge with
Hollywood-based Chainsaw. The deal
unites one of the film and television industry’s leading suppliers of
production equipment and post-production services, with one of Hollywood’s most
successful independent post-production facilities that services such renowned
shows as The Academy Awards and American Idol. The merger is expected to
close next month.

With offices spanning the U.S., Canada and China, The SIM
Group has been growing rapidly over the past several years, especially through
its post-production division, Bling Digital, which provides post-production
services to a number of scripted television series. Chainsaw’s well-earned
reputation will allow the company to build on its success by expanding SIM’s
post-production resources and extending its reach into unscripted and live
event television, Chainsaw specialties.

“Chainsaw’s robust services and diverse client base are very
complementary to the services and clientele of SIM,” said James Martin, Chief
Strategy Officer, The SIM Group. “Uniting these two great companies enhances
our ability to offer true, end-to-end service packages to film and television
producers.”

“As the newest member of The SIM Group, we see many
opportunities to further our growth and better serve our clients,” said
Chainsaw founder Bill DeRonde. “We are very excited to embark on this new
chapter that will continue to allow us to offer the best possible product to
our clients.  We gain access to more
resources and talent, as well as additional markets for our services.”

“We are very excited about the technology and expertise SIM
brings, particularly in the realm of workflow,” added Chainsaw co-owner Mike
Polito. “It will help us continue to deliver outstanding quality while
improving efficiency and broadening the scope of our services.”

Founded in 1996 by DeRonde, with Polito joining him in 2000,
both multiple Emmy Award-winning editors, Chainsaw provides creative editorial,
editorial finishing, color grading, visual effects and other services through
fully-integrated, digital facilities in Hollywood. It also features a digital
intermediate theater for feature film finishing and a large satellite facility
with editorial systems and space available on a rental basis. Along with The Academy Awards and American Idol, its credits include So You Think You Can Dance, The Kennedy Center Honors, Teen Wolf, Real Husbands of Hollywood,
Blackish, America’s Got Talent and
The 25th Anniversary Rock and
Roll Hall of Fame Concert.  

The SIM Group, founded by Rob Sim in 1982, comprises three
operating units, SIM Digital, Bling Digital and PS Production Services that,
respectively, provide camera and production equipment, post-production
technology and services, and lighting and grip gear. With offices in Los Angeles,
Toronto, Vancouver, Atlanta, Halifax and Beijing, it services such shows as Fargo, Suits, Pacific Rim, Hell on Wheels and The Vampire Diaries.

The SIM Group has been at the forefront in introducing new
digital technologies and workflows, including on-set and near-set solutions for
dailies processing, editorial and color grading. These workflow solutions have
helped many film and television productions increase productivity and lower
costs.

SIM Group Chief Technology Officer Chris Parker says that
the company is eager to introduce Chainsaw clients to new, leading-edge
services. “This merger bolsters our post-production offering, enabling us to
keep pace with our growing demand,” he noted. “At the same time, we are very
excited about the opportunity to introduce Chainsaw clients to a broader and
more complete range of services.” Parker adds that this expansion is a direct
response to demands from studios and other producers for comprehensive
post-production offerings.

Rob Sim says that he expects the integration of the two
companies to proceed smoothly, noting that they represent similar cultures and
histories. “We share the same values in terms of servicing our customers,” Sim
observed. “We look forward to working together toward our common goal of delivering
excellence every day.”

Upon completion of the merger Chainsaw will continue to
operate under its current name as a unit of The SIM Group.

About The SIM Group
The SIM Group, which is majority owned by investment firm, Granite Partners, is
a leading supplier of technology to the film and television industry. Its
operating units, SIM Digital, Bling Digital and PS Production Services,
maintain offices across the USA, Canada and China. SIM Digital is a world-class
rental facility specializing in digital production equipment and workflow
services. SIM Digital 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.  PS Production Services is a
rental supplier of lighting, grip, generators and dolly equipment. For more
information, visit www.simgroup.com