Having co-operated successfully in the field of digital cinema for more than 4 years, XDC SA, European leader in digital cinema services, and FTT, a
Düsseldorf-based distributor and integrator of cinema equipment, decided to
strengthen their relationships even further.
For this purpose, XDC took over
the majority of shares in FTT group at the end of 2009. In return, Thomas Rüttgers,
managing partner of FTT, became shareholder in XDC International and member of
the Supervisory Board.
This combination aims at promoting digital
cinema deployment together and at offering the exhibitors a comprehensive service
network for both, technical and commercial issues.
Serge
Plasch, CEO of XDC, said:
“I am delighted
that we could put the cooperation between FTT and its subsidiaries on a new
platform.” He stressed that the past had shown that
FTT was a perfect partner for XDC to boost the digital rollout on a European
scale. Mr. Plasch sees the advantages of the new partnership in customer
service, in particular: “We have always focussed on a premium local technical service for exhibitors and
with the integration of FTT into the XDC group we will be able to provide some
extra benefits for the exhibitors.”
Thomas
Rüttgers also
underlines the benefits of the partnership: “Last
year, digital cinema really gained momentum and that trend is even likely to
accelerate in 2010.”
According to his statement it is most important to set the right standards now.
Mr. Rüttgers remarked that especially customer service via a Network Operation
Centre and a database system were important aspects and both XDC’s know-how and
expertise in this context went without saying: “We are convinced that XDC is the competent partner to meet all challenges involved with the digital rollout“, he said.
However, the proven internal company structure of FTT will remain unchanged: Thomas Rüttgers will remain chairman of the company management and, hence, the leading force of FTT group. In this context, it is evident that FTT will continue to operate under its present brand name. Hannsdieter Rüttgers, founder of the company, welcomes the current development: “In the digital age a comprehensive network of partners is essential for being able to offer your customers an attractive service package.”
The first project of both companies in the framework of their new partnership will be the implementation of the first 100 VPF screens in Germany. At the end of last year, this magic threshold was already achieved and digital installations e.g. at sites in Bad Tölz, Güstrow, Mönchengladbach, Walldorf and
Zweibrücken will start in the upcoming months.
