CinemaNext has officially sold its U.S. division to Strong Technical Services (STS) in a transaction that includes the operations of the company formerly known as Sonic Equipment Company and its manufacturing arm, Kneisley Manufacturing.
The acquisition bolsters STS’s footprint in the North American market by integrating CinemaNext’s remote support infrastructure and Kneisley’s historic manufacturing operations with STS’s established field service and installation network. The resulting entity aims to provide a comprehensive, end-to-end technology and support ecosystem for American theater exhibitors.
“This acquisition isn’t just about expanding STS’s map; it’s about bringing together the best technical minds in the business,” said Blake Titman, President and CEO of Strong Technical Services. Titman noted that the merger will provide clients with a deeper pool of expertise, faster response times, and highly responsive customer service.
For CinemaNext, the divestiture represents a deliberate strategic pivot. The company is exiting the American market to further focus on its dominant position in Europe and Africa, where it operates across 21 countries and has installed equipment in over 13,000 screens.
CinemaNext Group CEO Donald McGarva described the sale as a “forward-looking step” that allows the company to concentrate its resources and talent on its most pronounced competitive advantages.
“Joining forces with STS is the right next step for our US colleagues and our American customers,” McGarva said. “The combined resources of STS and CinemaNext U.S. create a technical powerhouse capable of supporting the evolving needs of the American cinema industry as technology continues to advance.”
By shedding its U.S. operations, CinemaNext plans to accelerate investments in its European network and its CinemaNext Solutions division. The company will focus on expanding its portfolio of proprietary software, automation tools, and hardware solutions designed to optimize movie theater operations.
Meanwhile, Strong Technical Services solidifies its standing as a leading provider of technical solutions not just for cinema exhibition, but for the broader themed entertainment and commercial AV industries nationwide.
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