Hitachi turns to Gearhouse to build its market share

Hitachi Kokusai Europe director and general manager Paddy Roache said the company had signed the deal to build on its “very low” share of the market.

The sales and market development agreement provides the rental, sales, systems integration and OB company with the distribution rights to all Hitachi Kokusai broadcast cameras in the UK.

As part of the deal, Gearhouse Broadcast will make its engineering facilities available for demonstrations and post-sales service.

“We have had a strong business in box and point-of-view cameras but we have only recently come to market with a range of broadcast cameras,” said Roache.

“Our intention is clear: we are determined to become regarded as the leading supplier of 3G and future camera technologies.”

Gearhouse Broadcast has already purchased 30 Hitachi cameras, made up of 26 SK-HD1200 1080p/3G production cameras and four super slo-mo SK-HD 1500 cameras (pictured), which are being showcased by Hitachi at IBC in Amsterdam and will be distributed from this month.

Gearhouse Broadcast intends to add another 20 SK-HD1200 cameras to its rental stock before the end of the year.

Eamonn Dowdall, business development director at Gravity Media Group, the parent company of Gearhouse Broadcast, said the Hitachi cameras had been used as part of the broadcast packages it provides for sport OBs.

They are also about to be used as part of an eight-month contract for a studio production for one of the UK’s main broadcasters.

Hall 11 Stand E30