Matthews Studio Equipment
Matthews Studio Equipment, founded in 1968 in Burbank, California, manufactures over 1,400 professional grip and rigging products for film, television, broadcast, live production, still photography, and content creators. The company invented the C-Stand and standardized the 5/8" Baby and 1-1/8" Junior pin interfaces used industry-wide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1968
- HeadquartersBurbank, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Matthews Studio Equipment does
Matthews Studio Equipment, founded in 1968 and headquartered in Burbank, California, manufactures professional grip and rigging equipment for film, television, broadcast, live production, still photography, and content creation. The company is credited with inventing the folding-leg C-Stand and establishing the 5/8" Baby and 1-1/8" Junior pin standards that define the modern grip ecosystem, and has earned three Academy Awards for technical contribution to the industry. Its catalog spans over 1,400 SKUs covering C-stands, booms, dollies, clamps, lighting control, sandbags, and remote heads, all precision-manufactured in the United States.
The product line spans entry-level accessories priced around $38 (Apple Box Topper) to engineered systems at $11,500 (LITEMOVER Universal Remote Head with DMX/CRMX control), with recent additions including the Mini MAX fixture hanging system, Grip Rail telescoping grid pipe, Round-d-Round Doorway Dolly, and the 2026 launches of the Monitor Stand III, T-GO Kits, Matthellini², and The Bollard. The portfolio is engineered for interoperability under the Matthews pin and mounting standards, meaning customers can assemble complex rig configurations from a single vendor ecosystem.
Matthews sells through a hybrid model: direct e-commerce via Shopify for individual buyers, and a global dealer network that coordinates custom truck package builds for enterprise clients including ARRI, Netflix, Disney, Paramount, Universal, Warner Bros., Sony, ESPN, Fox, NFL, NEP, PRG, Apple, the PGA Tour, and major rental houses. Tyler Phillips leads the company as President. Revenue is not publicly disclosed; the operation is mature, privately held, and appears to operate at specialty-industrial scale.
Matthews Studio Equipment firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Matthews Studio Equipment
- Legal name
- Matthews Studio Equipment Inc.
- Website
- https://msegrip.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1968
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Matthews Studio Equipment, founded in 1968 in Burbank, California, manufactures over 1,400 professional grip and rigging products for film, television, broadcast, live production, still photography, and content creators. The company invented the C-Stand and standardized the 5/8" Baby and 1-1/8" Junior pin interfaces used industry-wide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Matthews Studio Equipment industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Film and Studio Grip Equipment
- NAICS
- Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (3343), Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing (333310)
- SIC
- Cutlery, Handtools & General Hardware (3420)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Production Equipment & Technical Services (Camera/Lighting/Grip, Virtual Production) (MPAAAMAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Lifting Accessories & Rigging (Slings, Shackles, Hooks, Spreaders) (IMAHAJAI)
Keywords
Where Matthews Studio Equipment is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Burbank
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Matthews Studio Equipment business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Equipment Sales: One-time sale of professional grip equipment including C-stands, clamps, booms, dollies, lighting control, camera support, sandbags, apple boxes, and accessories. Products range from small hardware items ($38-$315) to major equipment ($4,600-$11,500). Revenue generated through direct e-commerce sales and dealer network distribution.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Individual product pricing - consumer/small team purchases |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels10 records
Matthews Studio Equipment product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Matthews Studio Equipment manufactures and sells professional grip equipment for film, television, broadcast, live production, and photography industries. The company produces over 1,400 products including C-Stands (the industry-standard folding leg design it invented), booms and arms, Matthellini clamps, sandbags, dollies, lighting control accessories, and camera support systems—all precision-engineered and made in Burbank, California.
Product overview
Matthews Studio Equipment is a manufacturer of professional grip equipment for film, television, broadcast, live production, still photography, and content creation. The company offers over 1,400 products including C-Stands (the industry-standard folding leg design invented by Matthews), booms and arms, clamps (Matthellini Clamps), sandbags (BoaBags), dollies, lighting control equipment, camera support, and specialized stands. The product portfolio centers on mechanical equipment including the LITEMOVER remote head with DMX/CRMX control, Mini MAX fixture hanging system, Grip Rail telescoping grid pipes, The Bollard, Monitor Stand III, T-GO Kits, and Matthellini². Equipment supports standard 5/8" Baby and 1-1/8" Junior pins/receivers. The company serves major studios (ARRI, Netflix, Disney, Paramount, Universal, Warner Bros, Sony), broadcast networks (ESPN, Fox, NFL), and rental houses, with all products manufactured in Burbank, California.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- 3 Academy Awards won for industry innovation
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Matthews Studio Equipment
Customer profileNamed customers16 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Matthews Studio Equipment technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature6 records
Matthews Studio Equipment partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Local DealerscoreMatthews coordinates with local dealers to provide sales, support, and truck package planning for professional customers. The dealer network enables regional coverage and local support for production companies building grip truck packages.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Matthews Studio Equipment competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Chimera Lighting: Chimera manufactures professional lighting modifiers and is referenced as a partner with Matthews (Chimera V-Flat Kit). It operates in an adjacent lighting category and serves the same film/broadcast customer base.
Direct peers
- Libec (by Sony): Libec produces tripods, pedestals, and camera support systems for professional video and broadcast. It competes with Matthews across mid-tier camera support, particularly in broadcast and live production segments.
- Cartoni: Cartoni is an Italian manufacturer of professional camera supports, fluid heads, and pedestals used in film, television, and broadcast. It competes with Matthews in the high-end cinema support segment.
- Sachtler (Vitec Group): Sachtler specializes in professional fluid heads, tripods, and camera support used in film and broadcast production. It competes with Matthews across camera support, pedestals, and complementary grip equipment categories.
- Avenger (by Manfrotto / Vitec Group): Avenger is the most direct competitor to Matthews in professional C-Stands, grip hardware, and lighting support equipment. Both brands compete head-to-head on studio lots worldwide for the same film, broadcast, and live production customers.
- OConnor (Vitec Group): OConnor manufactures high-end fluid heads and camera support equipment for cinema and broadcast. It directly competes with Matthews' camera support and dolly offerings on professional film sets.
Emerging players
- Petrol Bags: Petrol Bags manufactures protective cases and bags for professional camera and grip equipment. It serves the same film/broadcast production customer base as Matthews with adjacent, enabling products.
- Tilta: Tilta is a rapidly growing manufacturer of camera cages, rig accessories, and grip equipment targeting both professional and content creator segments. It is emerging as a lower-cost alternative to Matthews' premium positioning.
Broad incumbents
- ARRI: ARRI is a major cinema camera and lighting manufacturer and a named Matthews customer. While not a direct grip equipment competitor, ARRI operates in overlapping production equipment categories and represents both a customer and adjacent incumbent.
- Anton/Bauer (Vitec Group): Anton/Bauer is a leading provider of professional power solutions and broadcast accessories for film and television production. It serves the same customer base as Matthews with complementary (not directly competing) products.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Matthews Studio Equipment social profiles
Digital presenceMatthews Studio Equipment financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Matthews Studio Equipment leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Matthews Studio Equipment funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Matthews Studio Equipment M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Matthews Studio Equipment
What does Matthews Studio Equipment do?
Matthews Studio Equipment manufactures and sells professional grip equipment for film, television, broadcast, live production, and photography industries. The company produces over 1,400 products including C-Stands (the industry-standard folding leg design it invented), booms and arms, Matthellini clamps, sandbags, dollies, lighting control accessories, and camera support systems—all precision-engineered and made in Burbank, California.
Is Matthews Studio Equipment a public or private company?
Matthews Studio Equipment is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Matthews Studio Equipment founded?
Matthews Studio Equipment was founded in 1968. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Matthews Studio Equipment based?
Matthews Studio Equipment is headquartered in Burbank, United States, in the North America region.
How does Matthews Studio Equipment make money?
One revenue line is on record: equipment Sales.
Who are Matthews Studio Equipment's main competitors?
Chimera Lighting is listed as an others. Direct peers are Libec (by Sony), Cartoni, Sachtler (Vitec Group), Avenger (by Manfrotto / Vitec Group) and OConnor (Vitec Group). Emerging players are Petrol Bags and Tilta. Broad incumbents are ARRI and Anton/Bauer (Vitec Group).
Does Matthews Studio Equipment have an API?
No public API is recorded for Matthews Studio Equipment.
What industry is Matthews Studio Equipment in?
Matthews Studio Equipment's product category is Professional Film and Studio Grip Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAAAMAH, Production Equipment & Technical Services (Camera/Lighting/Grip, Virtual Production), with a secondary code of IMAHAJAI, Lifting Accessories & Rigging (Slings, Shackles, Hooks, Spreaders). Its NAICS code is 3343 and its SIC code is 3420.