Cinionic, the
world’s leading provider of laser cinema solutions, announces a preferred commercial relationship with Ballantyne Strong, Inc.
(NYSE American: BTN, “Ballantyne Strong”) to strengthen its cinema service and solution
capabilities in the US and Canada. The relationship with Ballantyne Strong’s
operating subsidiaries, Strong Technical Services, Inc. (“STS”) and Strong/MDI
Screen Systems, Inc. (“Strong/MDI”), continues a long history of collaboration
between the companies, reinforcing their joint commitment to deliver laser-powered
cinema experiences.
As part of the relationship, more than 40 STS technicians
will join Cinionic’s trusted cinema service network looking after
exhibitors across North America. Leveraging a legacy of cooperation between the
companies, the bolstered cinema service operations provide reliable care for
cinemas as moviegoers continue to return to the big screen. The STS field team
will receive customized training as an install and servicing partner for all
Cinionic’s experience-enhancing cinema solutions, from boutique environments to
giant screens.
“Today, more than ever, we
need to be ready to support one another as an industry,” said Wim Buyens,
CEO of Cinionic. “Cinionic is committed to delivering peace of mind for
exhibitors. With Ballantyne Strong’s team of experts and our shared mission to power
a bright future for cinema, we continue to serve the exhibition community today
and tomorrow.”
“We are pleased to have this opportunity to
expand our collaboration with Cinionic, to continue providing the industry with
a premium cinema experience,” added Mark Roberson, Chief Executive Officer of
Ballantyne Strong. “The relationship enhances our ability to service our valued
customers and strengthens our global reach.”
Cinionic and Ballantyne Strong will continue to
collaborate on new opportunities that leverage Cinionic’s laser-powered solution
portfolio - enriching the installation and
service capabilities for mutual customers.
“The agreement between Cinionic, STS, and Strong/MDI solidifies an
already robust working relationship between industry leaders as we both seek to
provide our cinema clients with the best possible solutions to enhance their
customer moviegoing experience,” commented Ray Boegner, President of Strong
Entertainment. “The combined efforts of our companies will benefit existing and
future customers of both companies as the industry moves forward.”
About Cinionic
Founded in 2018 as a cinema joint venture between
Barco, CGS, and ALPD, Cinionic unites global leaders committed to creating a
new visual standard and moving the cinema industry forward.
Cinionic’s future-ready enhanced services and technology solutions provide
compelling cinema experiences. The company’s world-class technology portfolio
includes award-winning laser projectors, HDR, integrated media servers, and
premium cinema experiences, among other innovations.
With more than 95,000 projectors installed
globally, Cinionic is trusted by more than 200 exhibitors to help capture
audiences at multiple touchpoints in their cinema journey and keep
them coming back for more. Today, more than half of the world’s movie
theaters are illuminated by Cinionic.
Cinionic has offices in
Belgium, United States, Mexico, Australia, and Hong Kong. Visit www.cinionic.com and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook or YouTube for more information.
About
Ballantyne Strong, Inc., Strong Technical Services, Inc. and Strong/MDI Screen
Systems, Inc.
Ballantyne Strong, Inc. is a diversified holding company with operations and
investments across a broad range of industries. The Company’s Strong
Entertainment business unit includes Strong/MDI Screen Systems (www.strongmdi.com), the
leading premium screen and projection coatings supplier in the world and Strong
Technical Services (www.strong-tech.com), which
provides comprehensive managed service offerings with 24/7/365 support
nationwide to ensure solution uptime and availability. Ballantyne Strong also holds
stakes in GreenFirst Forest Products Inc., Firefly, Inc, and FG Financial
Group, Inc.
This press release includes forward-looking
statements, such as Ballantyne Strong’s expectations regarding future sales,
which involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to
those discussed in the “Risk Factors” section contained in Item 1A in
Ballantyne Strong’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2020, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 10,
2021, as supplemented by the Company’s Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A filed
with the SEC on April 28, 2021, Ballantyne Strong’s subsequent filings with the
SEC, and the risks and uncertainties that the COVID-19 pandemic has already
had, and may continue to have, on Ballantyne Strong’s business and financial
condition. Except where required by law, the Ballantyne Strong assumes no
obligation to update, withdraw or revise any forward-looking statements to
reflect actual results or changes in factors or assumptions affecting such
forward-looking statements.
