Fletcher Sports Not Part of VER Deal, Remains With Fletcher Chicago

Video Equipment Rentals (VER) has inked a deal to acquire Fletcher Chicago’s 16mm, 35mm, and digital-camera–rental division, creating a new entity within VER’s digital cinema division. The deal does not include the Fletcher Sports division, which will remain under Fletcher-family ownership. The Fletcher name and sports division locations in Chicago; Charlotte, NC; and London will remain under the sole ownership of the Fletcher family.

“We couldn’t be more excited to have Fletcher Camera advance VER’s Cinema Division’s commitment to service the cinematographer,” says Vince Dundee, co-owner of VER. “This now adds VER’s broadly experienced staff, vast inventory, and worldwide logistics with Fletcher Camera’s passion and commitment to cinematography and stellar reputation for client service. We’re creating a synergy that will provide unmatched technical capabilities, cutting-edge equipment, and outstanding customer service to the television–, feature-film–, and commercial–production markets.”

This new VER division will have a separate identity from the rental company VER, with a different local phone number, Website, traditional-film-prep floor space, and dedicated staff. It will use Fletcher’s existing Chicago and New Orleans locations. The relationship becomes official in December. The collaboration combines VER’s inventory engineering and international reach along with Fletcher’s film experience and staff.

Fletcher Chicago’s Sports Division, meanwhile, remains unchanged and will continue to operate its downtown location until the spring, when it will relocate to the Chicago suburb of Burr Ridge.

“The nature of modern motion-picture production requires an ever changing variety of equipment and the ability to scale up to meet the needs of an often complicated and demanding production environment,” states Tom Fletcher, owner/VP of marketing, Fletcher Chicago. “VER’s extensive inventory, engineering prowess, and presence in every incentive-driven production center means that we can now more fully serve the DP’s and AC’s artistic and technical needs alongside the financial and business needs of producers. My entire staff is excited to be joining forces with VER to bring our thoughtful customer service and extensive film and digital experience to a much wider range of productions.”