Midwich Group Plc

("Midwich" or "the Group")

 

Starin acquires software specialists and creates broadcast division

  

Midwich, the global specialist audio visual ("AV") distributor to the trade market with operations across the UK and Ireland, EMEA, North America and Asia-Pacific, is pleased to announce it has acquired Toolfarm.com Inc (“Toolfarm”) and Digital Media Promos, Inc (trading as “76 Media Systems”). Toolfarm is the market leading global distributor of video software products and plugins, with a particular focus on 3D and motion graphics, whilst 76 Media Systems is a value-add distributor of high-end video storage and media asset management hardware to the US market.

Both businesses are currently run by CEO Rich D’Angelo, who was also the founder of 76 Media Systems. Rich will continue to lead both businesses as part of a newly formed Broadcast division of Midwich’s US organization Starin Marketing Inc (“Starin”) focusing on the value-add distribution of software and hardware used in video creation, streaming and storage to the combined Toolfarm, 76 Media Systems and Starin channel customer base. Toolfarm’s founders, Jason Sharp & Colin Sharp will step away from the business as part of the transaction.

Based in Portland, Oregon, Toolfarm works with vendor partners including Maxon and Boris FX. While based in the US, Toolfarm has a global reach, with a customer base reaching across North America, Europe and Asia. 76 Media Systems is based in Philadelphia and works with key brand EditShare.  

Both businesses serve customers across a spectrum of vertical applications, many of which are complementary to Starin’s portfolio focus, as high-quality video creation becomes more and more prevalent in the corporate, education and house of worship verticals, among many others.

The investment in Toolfarm also represents further development in the Group’s software distribution capabilities as it looks to provide channel partners with a trusted supplier of software, hardware, and services.

The acquisition of Toolfarm and 76 Media Systems follows the recent announcement of the acquisition of Canadian distributor SFM Marketing as Midwich grows its capability in the North American market and beyond.

Stephen Fenby, the Midwich Group Managing Director, commented:

"I am delighted to welcome Rich and the Toolfarm and 76 Media Systems teams to the Group. The broadcast and video creation market is one of our key technology categories and we will continue to invest in this market to support our vendors and customers. Toolfarm also represents our first acquisition of a dedicated software distributor which marks an important milestone in our ongoing development”

Rich D’Angelo, CEO of Toolfarm and 76 Media Systems commented:

"Starin, and the wider Midwich group, are a very natural fit for Toolfarm and 76 Media. We are looking forward to working with our new colleagues and helping our vendors grow their business, whilst continuing to offer the focussed support on which we have built our reputation.”

Bobby Swartz, CEO of Starin commented:

“Combining Toolfarm and 76 Media Systems specialist knowledge and capabilities with Starin’s existing infrastructure will provide the perfect platform to grow our vendor partner’s business whilst providing both new and existing customers with access to the best products, technical support and value-add services to enable them to maximise their own opportunities.”