PAG, the UK broadcast battery manufacturer, has announced it will cease trading in a controlled shutdown of the business.
Following the closure of Transvideo earlier this month, there are further signs of the continued pressures on manufacturers with the news that UK broadcast industry battery manufacturer PAG will cease trading in what amounts to a controlled shutdown of the business.
"PAG remains a solvent company, with no debts, and provision will be made to honour all remaining product warranties," the company writes.
It does not appear to be as cut-and-dried as the company shutting up shop entirely, however. The complete company statement, which you can read below, states that recent sales have been outside of the broadcast and film industry.
It then goes on to say: "After more than 50 years serving the film and television industry, we have taken the decision to cease manufacturing and selling batteries to this market."
So, perhaps more of an exiting of this market and a refocusing on another one? We have approached PAG for comment and will update where possible.
Either way, it is sad to see the departure of a company that was founded in the late 1960s and has so many years of industry history behind it.
PAG was founded in 1968 by Chief Executive, Alan Lavender, and initially produced advanced post-production equipment for film before turning to portable power in the 1980s as the ENG market took off. The company’s early battery belts and the PAGlok mounting system became widely adopted by the news crews of that era.
Over subsequent decades PAG introduced several industry firsts, from microcomputer-controlled fast charging to run-time information displayed in viewfinders, and more recently, intelligent linkable batteries.
Alan’s son, Paul Lavender, was Engineering Director and head of R&D for over half the company's history. PAG introduced linked battery charging to the industry in 2012.
Here's the full message from the company website.
A Message from the Owners of PAG
PAG has long been recognised for its innovation, with numerous industry firsts and several world patents to its name.
It has been our privilege to contribute to the tools and technologies that have supported broadcasters and filmmakers across generations.
In recent years, however, we have seen a significant shift in the market. It has become increasingly saturated with lower-cost imports, and demand within our traditional sector has contracted. In fact, for some time now, most of our sales have come from outside the industry we originally set out to serve.
Coupled with the wider economic climate, these factors have led the family to make this difficult but carefully considered decision. After more than 50 years serving the film and television industry, we have taken the decision to cease manufacturing and selling batteries to this market.
We are now embarking on a process of controlled shutdown. PAG remains a solvent company, with no debts, and provision will be made to honour all remaining product warranties.
We are immensely proud of what PAG has achieved, and we are deeply grateful to the many customers, partners, and friends who have supported us over the years.
With sincere thanks,
The Owners of PAG