MultiDyne Video & Fiber Optic Systems has reached an agreement to acquire the assets of MRMC (Mark Roberts Motion Control). As part of the transaction, MultiDyne has established MultiDyne Robotics and Motion
Control, a new company that will maintain the MRMC brand.
According to MultiDyne Video & Fiber Optic Systems, the acquisition brings MRMC’s core technologies, intellectual property, manufacturing capabilities, and key engineering expertise, creating a powerful combination of complementary technologies that extend MultiDyne’s reach.
MRMC was a pioneer in camera robotics and motion control, and it developed award-winning solutions. MRMC was acquired by Nikon back in 2016, but they sold the company earlier this year to Blandford Capital. It was then placed into liquidation in May.
Mark Roberts founded the company way back in 1966, and it was originally set up to upgrade and service animation rostrum tables. Like a lot of small companies, it ended up blossoming into a dedicated specialist in robotic motion‑control camera rigs for the film and TV industry. In 1999, they received an Oscar Technical Achievement Academy Award for their contribution to the special‑effects industry in feature films.
The problem for MRMC is that a lot more affordably priced systems have come to market in recent years that put increased pressure on the company’s bottom line. Nikon obviously saw this and decided to unload the company before the company’s value became even further diminished.
In response to the acquisition by MultiDyne Video & Fiber Optic Systems, MRMC said: We are pleased to announce that MultiDyne has completed the acquisition of MRMC’s assets, forming MultiDyne Robotics and Motion Control Limited. This well-capitalized backing ensures the stability, continuity, and recovery of our iconic brand. Our immediate focus is on fulfilling existing commitments and restarting core operations.
MultiDyne is celebrating its 50th anniversary. If you are not familiar with the company, they provide an array of solutions for local studios, network facilities, mobile trucks, live event venues, and enterprise organizations.
MultiDyne has been primarily focused on the transport, processing, and management of video, audio, and data signals, and with the acquisition of MRMC’s assets, they can now move into image acquisition. This was done to
create an end-to-end ecosystem.
According to MultiDyne, they plan to maintain MRMC’s operations in the UK. Neil Maycock, a member of the MultiDyne leadership team, will run MRMC as Managing Director
