Videndum plc is a manufacturer of hardware and software for the film industry founded in 1910 and based in Richmond, London. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange.
 | |
| Company type | Public limited company |
|---|---|
| LSE: VID | |
| Founded | 1910 |
| Founder | William Vinten |
| Headquarters | Richmond, London U.K. |
Key people | Ian McHoul (Chairman) Stephen Bird (CEO) |
| Products | Camera Supports: Pan & Tilt Heads, Tripods and Pedestals |
| Revenue |  £306.9 million (2023)[1] |
| £(4.7) million (2023)[1] | |
| £(78.1) million (2023)[1] | |
| Website | videndum |
History
editThe business was established by William Vinten when he started manufacturing Kinemacolor projectors for Charles Urban in 1909. The company, trading as W. Vinten Cinematograph Engineers, was formed in 1910 and was originally based at 89-91 Wardour Street, London.[2]
In 1914, the company workshops were taken over by the government and William Vinten was invited by Sopwith at Kingston upon Thames to work alongside staff at its aeroplane factory. This led in 1915 to an invitation by the Royal Flying Corps for Vinten to design and build the Model B, a special cine camera for use in aircraft.[3]
In 1928 the company expanded and moved to Cricklewood, North London, mainly supplying the film industry by creating specialised equipment for companies such as Kodak.[3]
The Second World War created an increased requirement for reconnaissance cameras and the company secured military contracts which gave it world market presence for reconnaissance work.[3]
In the late 1940s the broadcast market began to flourish and the company developed the first telerecording camera. As a result the British Broadcasting Corporation became increasingly involved with Vinten. The BBC became the world benchmark for which Vinten adapted many of its original film camera supports creating equipment more suitable for television cameras.[4]
In 1964 Vinten moved to Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk. In 1972, the company was floated on the London Stock Exchange.[5]
In the early 1980s the company worked in partnership with the BBC to develop pedestals, tripods and other equipment for use in its news studios.[6]
In 1988 Vinten split into two separate entities, W Vinten Ltd (which became Thales Optronics), focused solely on reconnaissance equipment, and Vinten Broadcast, focussed on broadcast mounting equipment.[3]
From 1989 the company began a series of acquisitions: Manfrotto (1989), Bexel (1991), Gitzo (1992), Bogen Imaging (1993), TSM Inc [known for its AutoCam product range] (1993), Sachtler (1995), OConnor (2003).[7]
Vinten Group plc changed its name to Vitec Group plc in 1995.[3]
Following the acquisition of Radamec in 2003 a new brand Vinten Radamec was created to take over the manufacture of robotic camera support products.[8]
In April 2021, Vitec acquired Quasar Science, a linear LED tube manufacturer.[9]
In May 2022, the company changed its name to Videndum plc.[10] Vinten continues to exist as one of the group's brands.[11]
Operations
editThe company's main brands include:[12]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Annual Results 2023" (PDF). Videndum. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ "Re-creating Kinemacolor on the screen". David Cleveland and Brian Pritchard. Retrieved 03-2009
- ^ a b c d e "Vinten". Rochester Archives. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
- ^ Images of Success, Samson and Vinten, 1993, Wolsey Press Ltd
- ^ "W. Vinten". Science Museum Group. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
- ^ "Behind the scenes of election broadcaster". BBC Studio Works. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
- ^ "The Vitec Group plc: History". The Vitec Group. Archived from the original on 2009-02-04. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
- ^ "Vitec Buys O'Connor, Radamec". TV Technology. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
- ^ a b "Vitec Group Acquires Quasar Science - The American Society of Cinematographers (en-US)". theasc.com. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
- ^ "Vitec changes name to Videndum as part of rebrand". Morning Star. 23 May 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
- ^ "Videndum | Products & solutions". videndum.com. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
- ^ "Products and solutions". Videndum. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f "Vitec Group rebranding as Videndum". Newscast Studio. 25 May 2022. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
- ^ "Vitec brands Manfrotto, Lowepro, Gitzo, Joby unveil 50+ photo accessories". Camera Jabber. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
- ^ "Sachtler And Vinten Announce Trifecta Of Awards For Flowtech At IBC2017". Live Production. 29 September 2017. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
Further reading
edit- The Vinten Story (German) Fernsehmuseum Wiesbaden
- Sansom, Stuart; Vinson, Luke (1993). Images of Success. The History of Vintens 1910-1992. Wolsey Press.