Abel Cine Tech has taken over the sales division of Fletcher Chicago, a Midwest camera equipment vendor, to expand the latter’s reach into new markets; specifically to Burbank, CA, and New York City.
The announcement represents a strategic shift in the business model of Fletcher Chicago, which will now focus exclusively on film and digital camera rental and services. The company said that it will support this new direction with an additional $1.5 million investment in equipment and expand its existing production office space.
Tom Fletcher, vice president and owner of Fletcher Chicago, said that the move was necessary because a service-oriented high-end camera sales business like Fletcher “cannot survive in the Midwest. We needed an office in L.A. to capitalize on the big market out there.”
This move also supports Abel Cine Tech’s efforts to offer good sales and technical support to its nationally based broadcast and production clientele. Abel announced that Kari Hess, Fletcher’s current sales manager, would head up sales efforts in the Midwestern region.
“Our sales customers will be well looked after by Abel,” said Tom Fletcher, adding that Abel buys in large quantities and is able to sell at competitive prices. “They share the same commitment to customer service as Fletcher did.”
While it will no longer sell production equipment, Fletcher Chicago will continue to operate its successful equipment rental and sports products divisions.
For more information, visit www.abelcine.com.
