Lightworks acquired by Gee Broadcast

Post, June, 2004

BASINGSTOKE, UK -- Gee Broadcast Systems Ltd., a video-server manufacturer based here, has completed the purchase of nonlinear editing system maker Lightworks, its business and its assets. A new company, Lightworks UK Ltd., is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gee Broadcast, and will now develop, sell and support the Lightworks (www.lwks.com) editing product line. The sales, support and development operations of Lightworks will remain based at the company's headquarters in Farringdon, London.

Lightworks' US sales operation is expected to be strengthened, building on its existing customer base in the Hollywood film industry. Lightworks Touch editing systems are regularly used on major feature film releases. The system has been used most recently on Godsend, Laws of Attraction, Win a Date With Tad Hamilton! and the upcoming The Aviator. Television productions such as Cold Feet and Hollyoaks (UK), as well as commercial productions by Touches (Hong Kong) also use the system.

Keith Gee, head of Gee Broadcast (www.geevs.co.uk), says, "Lightworks has a global reputation for providing unique editing tools, highly optimized for their areas of application, and for a long time we've felt their technology and ours could work very well together. We're therefore tremendously pleased, not only to have concluded this prestigious deal, but by the potential it represents for our two companies."

Gee adds, "There are many areas where the Lightworks operation fits well with Gee Broadcast and the Geevs Broadcast Video Server. We already have a major joint installation at Mersey TV in the UK and we will be working closely together in the weeks and months to come to offer open, but well-integrated, networked solutions."

Graham Henderson, head of development at Lightworks, says, "Lightworks has determinedly carved out a unique niche for itself as one of the world's leading manufacturers of professional nonlinear editing systems. With the acquisition of Lightworks by Gee Broadcast, we're confident that the company is in the hands of people who share our values and dedication and we're looking forward to growing our businesses together."

Fairlight Japan, the previous owners of the Lightworks business, will continue to distribute the Lightworks products in their area.