CES Power LLC (“CES”), a global leader in infrastructure solutions for live events, has announced its acquisition of Base Craft, LLC (“Base Craft”), a provider of specialty services and equipment for the motion picture industry. The transaction’s terms were not disclosed. This acquisition marks a strategic move for CES, which is backed by Allied Industrial Partners (“Allied”), as it aims to expand its presence in the film and television production sector.
Base Craft’s Expertise and Reach
Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, Base Craft operates facilities across six states and is known for providing high-quality, on-site production equipment. Its offerings include production trailers, trucks, basecamp setups, power generation, battery storage, and HVAC systems. The company also rents passenger vehicles, trucks, tractors, and solar-powered trailers tailored for specific production needs, such as hair and makeup, wardrobe, and sound equipment.
Launch of CES Studio Services
With the acquisition, CES has unveiled a new division, CES Studio Services, dedicated to delivering bundled solutions for the film, television, and broadcast industries. This division aims to leverage CES’s existing expertise in sustainable mobile power, temperature control, WiFi, and networking to offer production clients a comprehensive suite of services.
CES Studio Services will seek further partnerships and acquisitions to enhance its capabilities, building on the Base Craft acquisition as a strategic foundation. The Base Craft management team, including Jeffrey Gowing, Hunter Andrews, Welch Lambeth, and Aaron Pigg, will join CES Studio Services to lead the division.
Leadership Perspectives
“We are excited to welcome Jeff, Hunter, Welch, Aaron, and the entire Base Craft team as we aim to become the provider of choice for the television and motion picture industry in North America,” said Greg Landa, CEO of CES. He emphasized that CES Studio Services, backed by CES’s global infrastructure, will offer a one-stop shop for essential production services.
Jeffrey Gowing, representing Base Craft, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “CES’s experience and resources will add to our product line and strengthen our ability to service both new and existing partners and clients.”
Strategic Growth Through Allied
Since Allied acquired CES in June 2021, the company has completed 13 acquisitions, including Base Craft. This growth strategy reflects Allied’s commitment to expanding CES’s capabilities in sectors that complement its live entertainment business.
Allied Co-Founders Bradford Rossi and Philip Wright highlighted the significance of the acquisition. “The film industry is a natural fit with CES’s live entertainment business, and we believe this new division is ripe for growth,” they said. They noted that Base Craft brings key competencies and geographic reach to help CES achieve its goal of becoming a leading player in its industry.