January 22, 2009 - Ronald O. Perelman, Chairman of Panavision Inc., and Commissioner Katherine Oliver recently celebrated the official opening of Panavision New York’s newest home in SoHo.

Panavision, the preeminent camera manufacturer and rental company in the entertainment industry for over 50 years, has recently relocated its operations, with the camera rental facility now housed at 150 Varick Street and the lighting facility at 30-40 48th Avenue in Long Island City.

“We found an ideal space in Manhattan to manage our camera rental business and focus on what our priority is, customer service,” said Bob Beitcher, President and CEO, Panavision, Inc. “By continuing our presence in Manhattan, we remain close to our customer base and accessible to all of the major centers of production.”

“We’re thrilled to welcome Panavision New York to its new locations in the City,” said Commissioner Oliver. “Our City is home to over 100,000 of our fellow New Yorkers employed by productions that shoot here, and these facilities demonstrate Panavision New York’s commitment to this City and its economy.”

The SoHo facilities span 23,500 square feet on a single floor, with eight prep bays, four feature prep rooms, a lens projection room, a machine shop, three freight elevators and a dedicated loading dock. Panavision New York houses 35 employees in camera rental, service, camera prep, marketing and administration. It is the only major rental facility to maintain its operations in Manhattan.

“We are very excited about our new space,” said Stephen Bernstein, Vice President & General Manager, “especially the fact that we are no longer on several floors. Starting with a fresh design, we were able to make substantial improvements to all aspects of our operations, especially the flow of materials and our prep areas. Every client who has come in here has commented on what a great space it is.”

With New York City’s many production incentives attracting more and more film and television work to the City, Panavision New York has been busy with recent arrival “In Treatment,” as well as “Damages,” “Fringe,” “Life on Mars,” “Cupid,” “Kings” and all three “Law & Order” series: “Law & Order,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and “Law & Order: Criminal Intent.”