Senior management from both companies will continue to play hands on roles in the new business. This includes Jannie van Wyk, CEO, who will be continuing to oversee the change over and ensuring that his vision of the combined companies will be greater than the sum of the two individual parts. Neil du Toit, the group MD, will continue to ensure consistency of existing culture and client service.
Neill Horsfall, the GM of Media Film Service in Johannesburg, will head up the newly merged companies and manage day-to-day operations. Geoff Green from Sasani will be staying on in the interim to ensure that the transition is smooth from all perspectives. Neville Reed and Mervin Rabkin from MCC will remain in management positions and all staff will continue operating as usual.
Commented Van Wyk, “Those of us who have been in the industry for the last 15 years or more will know that there has been a long history associated with both MCC and Media Film Service. Most of the established names involved in rental facilities in South Africa have originated or at least passed through MCC at one time or another.
“MCC holds an important position in our history and we are thrilled to be bringing the two companies together to enhance the future of equipment rental in SA. Our aim is to integrate the people from both companies and to have a shared drive and vision going forward. We are continuing to grow the Media Film Service brand as the best service and technology driven rental house in Africa.”
Both companies were built on the model of housing all equipment rental needs under one roof, an idea pioneered by MCC in the early nineties, allegedly the first world-class ‘one-stop' film equipment rental facility in South Africa. Discussions between the two companies have taken place intermittently for some years and this year saw these talks coming to fruition.
The mutually beneficial deal sees Media Film Service complementing its growing Johannesburg operation by building on skills and staff resources, film equipment assets and established loyal client base - all of which MCC offered.
According to Media Film Service, MCC became available to buy after its previous owner, Sasani, was bought last year by e.tv, primarily for the studio real estate. MCC was not on the studio lot nor was it a core business focus for e.tv and required a large investment to stay competitive. Media Film Service offered an appealing option, offering maximum value while preserving jobs.
Established clients from both companies should benefit from a number of developments, such as hire-in costs, specifically on lighting, which will be significantly reduced with a greater inventory of gear.
The Johannesburg operation will also have offices for Cape Town clients shooting in Gauteng, as current premises will be turned into studios and production offices.
Media Film Service, while independent, is a supporter of the Arri brand of equipment and culture of service. A full package of new generation equipment (only available to Arri-driven companies) is ready to be placed in the Media/MCC merged company.
