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SPOTLIGHT • CVP – EXPANSION IN EUROPE
EXPANSION IN EUROPE
CVP, one of the UK’s leading production solutions providers, has opened new offices in Belgium. Read on to discover more about this ambitious and enterprising initiative from company MD Jon Fry.
TELL US MORE ABOUT CVP?
CVP is one of the largest independent resellers of production equipment for the media and entertainment sector with expertise specifically in TV, film and broadcast production, cinematography, professional video/audio and photography equipment. We have the largestavailable stock of production gear in Europe, as well as a state-of-the-art ProRepairs centre, which boasts a network of dedicated advisors and technical consultants. CVP offers a sales and support infrastructure delivering creative consultation, sales and financial advice, technical service provision and training. We use our unrivalled experience to listen to our customers, understand their needs and deliver the right solution with first-class service.
As the exclusive dealer for many leading brands, CVP prides itself on its close relationships with key manufacturers including ARRI, Sony, Canon, RED, Panasonic and many, many more. We source and stock in excess of 40,000 product lines from global partners and have built an enviable reputation for being the go-to reseller for all acquisition equipment.
Our warehouse stocking and delivery capabilities ensures quick access to the full production ecosystem – cameras, lenses, recording equipment, gimbals/stabilisation, drones, lighting, storage etc – anything to do with shooting TV, a ‘video’ or a film. This is backed up by staff with agnostic, in-depth knowledge of the equipment on offer providing the best solutions to meet customers’ needs.
WHAT PUSHED YOU TO EXPAND INTO EUROPE?
In 2021, CVP set up operations in Belgium as part of the company’s continued investment and expansion in Europe. Since then, we have invested significantly in new sales and warehouse infrastructure.
Having a European facility not only enables the company to tackle the challenge of availability with its large local stock-holding across the UK and Belgium, but also improves delivery times and access to knowledgeable technical sales and support advisors.
Customers can also access more competitive prices for their kit from mainland Europe, as CVP offers free shipping on EU orders over €1,000 and duty and VAT free prices. CVP Belgium provides a practical solution to the needs and challenges of European customers, removing their barriers to efficient and cost-effective productions.
GIVE US SOME DETAILS ABOUT CVP BELGIUM?
CVP Belgium is based in Vilvoorde. The facility comprises 650sq/m dedicated to stocking the latest and most popular production equipment.
Along with state-of-the-art technology, the new facility also incorporates an engineering department, with a large collection of spare parts stock, and they are dedicated to restoring equipment back to A1 condition. As a trusted partner, CVP is immensely proud of its manufacturer-approved, Authorised Service Centres and our team of specialist technicians whose wealth of knowledge, expertise and direct experience of production and testing, enables them to turnaround repairs and services faster, ensuring the down time on equipment is minimal.
There is much more in the pipeline for CVP Belgium, with a versatile demo facility accommodating a variety of events, workshops, and tests to create bespoke solutions, planned to open this summer.
AND HOW ABOUT THE TEAM RUNNING THE NEW BUSINESS?
Growing our teams and CVP’s presence across Europe has been a strategic priority since the opening of our facility in Belgium. This year, we appointed Benoit Foucault and Niels Lubbers into senior sales roles, based in Belgium and the Netherlands respectively.
Benoit brings over 20 years of media industry experience to the role, most recently having spent the last ten years as sales and rental manager of the video department and Broadcast at TV Connections. He has a proven track record for setting up and developing sales divisions for businesses and has a deep understanding of the media production market. Niels brings with him solid experience in film, TV, and camera sales having built and grown CameraTools.nl for 14 years, before working with ColourTools and finally bringing his knowledge and passion to CVP.
Benoit and Niels join a whole network of administrators, warehouse operatives, drivers and technicians making it possible for CVP to bring its expertise and personalised attention closer to customers every day and to be nearer to the projects and provide quicker response times all-round.
WHAT CAN CUSTOMERS EXPECT IN TERMS OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICE?
We are committed to our European customers and our recent investment in Belgian facilities is testament to this. We want to ensure that we continue to deliver exceptional customer service, and our presence at the new Euro Cine Expo reinforces our commitment. We are
focussed on bringing the newest production solutions, alongside offering our renowned agnostic guidance and expertise from our technical experts.
LOOKING FORWARDS, WHAT ARE CVP’S PLANS FOR VIRTUAL PRODUCTION?
The adoption of virtual production has takenoff over a short span of time, with pandemic conditions contributing to an exponential demand in the past two years. CVP has partnered with key companies such as Disguise, Ncam, TrackMen, ARRI and Roe Visual, to build and facilitate an ecosystem for customers looking to take virtual productions to the next level.
The company has an ethos of providing knowledge and expertise around the latest solutions, and with this commitment comes the promise of continuing to bring the latest in visualisation for film and broadcast applications, including developments in virtual production.
Most recently, we curated an extensive, state-of-the-art virtual production stage during the 2022 Cannes Film Festival – marking a new milestone in virtual production’s expansion into the European film and television industry. The set up, like the one we showcased at the BSC Expo 2022, invited visitors to step into a virtual production volume and become fully-immersed in rich environments - all designed in Unreal Engine and Notch.
AND FINALLY, WHAT’S NEXT FOR CVP?
CVP is committed to making production equipment more accessible and affordable. With this commitment comes an on-going vow to continue to invest in new stock, facilities, and our team to ensure first class service is maintained.
Opposite: CVP managing director Jon Fry This page: Benoit Foucault and Niels Lubbers, who are leading CVP’s business in Europe.
So you can expect new announcements about these in the short, mid and long terms.
We will also continue to bring customers all the support required within the production ecosystem: whether that stems into asset finance (including leasing deals, refinancing, and bespoke arrangements), where CVP offers advice on all aspects of a solution or technology before, during or after purchase; or advising on aspects related to buying and selling used kit. At the centre of CVP’s future roadmap, it is our mission to draw on our experience, industry knowledge and leverage of partner relationships to focus on getting the best technology solutions and offering the best service to our customers.
To connect with CVP’s team of experts, email: sales@cvp.com or call +32 2828 1111.
Highlights at CVP during Euro Cine Expo 2022
CVP will take centre stage at Euro Cine Expo 2022, with a unique showcase of the latest technology offering visitors an impressive display of the newest production solutions, along with renowned guidance and knowledge from the company’s technical experts.
• Hands-on experience with the latest fully rigged cine-style cameras from leading manufacturers including ARRI’s new
ALEXA 35 and Mini LF, Sony’s VENICE 2,
FX9 and HDC F5500, RED’s V RAPTOR and KOMODO, Canon’s C300 MKIII and
DJI Ronin 4D • Showcase of CVP’s brand new Fibre channel solutions that allow broadcast and studio production to integrate cine cameras into their workflow • Opportunity to explore rigged in shoulder-mounted and handheld configurations • Display of CVP’s popular Lens Bar, featuring the largest display of new and used lenses; from brands such as
Angenieux, ARRI, Atlas, Canon, Cooke,
DZO, Fujinon, Leitz, Sigma, Tokina, Tribe7,
Zeiss and more • Exhibition of 30 of the best monitors the industry currently offers. Featuring a range from 5” to 31”, all displayed side by side and synced via a video router to enable like for like comparison, the same image will be displayed simultaneously across all units
• The most recent developments in motion control will be on display to allow visitors to explore the most suitable solution for specific needs - including wearables (Easyrig, Ready Rig, Tilta), remote heads / stabilisers (ARRI, DJI, Freefly Systems), grip (Flowcine, Movmax) as well as the new DJI Ronin 4D
