Cardiff, December 2008: Omni TV’s state-of-the-art double expanding high definition Outside Broadcast (OB) unit has arrived in Cardiff from Holland, thanks to a £3.4 million funding package that has been provided by Lombard.
The truck has been purchased on a leasing agreement to allow Omni TV to service a new three year contract with BBC Wales. It travelled from Roosendaal in Holland and was delivered initially to the Bryn Terfel Festival for a four day music event. Omni was formed in 2006 by Barcud Derwen which is the largest independent outside broadcasting and post production business in Wales and outside the M25. Since 2006 it has played a pivotal role in a series of high profile events across the UK, ranging from international sport to high-end drama.
Barcud was formed in 1982 in Caernarfon and merged with Cardiff based Derwen in 1997 to form Barcud Derwen. Since this time the business has expanded considerably and the group now has 14 subsidiaries in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
The Barcud Derwen Group continues to expand and specialises in numerous areas of the media and other related fields, to provide a one stop solution to its customers’ programme needs. It has been awarded the facilities contract outside broadcasts and non-sport productions for the BBC such as the National Eisteddfod of Wales, which have previously been outsourced.
The business is continuing to look for additional opportunities to win contracts outside Wales, and sees 2010 as a significant year of opportunity to look forward to, when the Olympic tenders are being issued, and has already been contracted to provide facilities for the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor. The business also provides OB facilities for BBC Wales Coverage of the EDF Cup, Mangers’ League, Premiership and international rugby, as well as additional music and events produced by BBC Wales, and has won the contract to cover the Heineken Cup for S4C and Sky via the independent production company, Sunset & Vine. It has recently been confirmed as the OB supplier for The Welsh Snooker and Bowls Open for 2009 for IMG and Indus.
The business was seeking finance to allow it to purchase the truck and worked closely with Richard Tilden from Lombard, the asset finance arm of the RBS Group. Working with Omni's management team including Tony Cahalane and Barcud Derwen's Group Finance Director, Huw Edwards, Lombard needed to understand the assets and funding needs throughout the process from initial deposits, build phase and on to the final commissioning. Lombard provided a pre-funding lease structure, which incorporated master lease, sale and leaseback elements. The equipment needed to be ordered, paid for and shipped quickly in order to reduce cost and risks to Omni Tv.
Bryn Roberts, Managing Director, Barcud Derwen Group, commented:
"High definition is proving popular, especially in the coverage for sports and events, and we are seeing demand
increase on a daily basis. This OB unit is a state-of-the-art high definition facility, which brings together the
best design principals and equipment choice in any OB truck in Europe. The new truck
allows us to the meet the demands of our contract with BBC Wales and better positions ourselves to acquire new contracts
inside and outside Wales."
"I am grateful to Richard Tilden and his team at Lombard who by really understanding the needs of our business was able
to provide a bespoke finance solution."
Richard Tilden, Development Director, Lombard, Wales commented:
"The new truck presents a great
opportunity for Omni TV. We at Lombard have been impressed with business acumen displayed by this dynamic business and look
forward to working with Bryn and his management team moving forwards."
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For more information contact:
Caroline Hill
07796 182703
caroline.j.hill@rbs.co.uk
