VER Acquires the Business of DPS, Inc. and Retains Key Employees

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- VER, the leading, global provider of production equipment and engineering support, announced that it has acquired the business of DPS Inc., a production services company.  In a sale ordered by the bankruptcy court, VER acquired more than half of the company's lighting and film equipment, nearly all of its audio, video, and rigging equipment, its 70,000-square-foot facility near Burbank, CA and retained nearly half of the company's employees.

VER is already consolidating its rapidly growing, industry-recognized lighting division at DPS's former location. The new VER "Light Lab" is being expanded to create the most significant facility in Southern California, enabling clients to design, test, and prep systems in real time, supported by the VER engineering team, enabling even more creative solutions and a streamlined programming and design process. 

VER will invest further to enhance the already unique facility, which includes a 60' wide by 62' deep hanging structure that can support up to 144,000 lbs. of gear so lighting designers and technicians can easily and accurately prep a full lighting system. "Our current pre-viz suite is often double booked so this new facility will include multiple full service, off-line programming suites offering pre-viz services and modeling.  Combined with the grid, capable of a 33' trim, this facility will meet all of our clients' needs," notes Susan Tesh, executive director of VER lighting.

Steve Hankin, CEO of VER commented, "DPS had a superb team and a reputation for quality service and equipment. We're happy to be able to bring the team and equipment into the broader VER organization so they can continue to serve their clients, and support VER clients, in their signature high quality manner."

Paul Kobelja, former DPS VP of Cinema, Bobby Finley III, former VP of DPS Cinema Tech, and Loren Esposito, have joined the VER TV and cinema production team under the leadership of Fred Waldman. Kobelja, Finley and Esposito are highly regarded in the entertainment industry and join a team that is widely recognized for providing the most creative technical solutions to TV and cinema professionals.  "Over the years these three cinema professionals have developed a specialty in the integration of media technology for filmed entertainment. This combined team of experts will no doubt lead the industry in servicing TV and cinema clients," said Waldman.

Also, Rob Kurtz, former VP of DPS Worship, has joined VER in Nashville to support the lighting team in addition to continuing to service the worship market segment. John Lee is part of the VER tour video team, led by Keith Harrison, executive director of LED/Display and video, and continues to focus on providing video and lighting to his important tour clients. 

About VER:

VER is a leading, global provider of production equipment and engineering support.  With the world's largest inventory of rental equipment, VER supplies the most advanced technology to a broad array of clients in the corporate, TV, cinema, live events and broadcast markets. Clients rely on VER's depth of experience in Broadcast, Audio, Video, Lighting, LED, Cameras, Rigging, Media Servers, Fiber and more. With 32 offices across North America and Europe, 24/7 support, and unparalleled expertise, VER can support any live or taped production anywhere in the world.

Gina McDuffie
CMO
818-956-1444

SOURCE VER