What Libec does

Libec is a Japanese manufacturer of professional video tripods, fluid heads, and camera support equipment, operated as a brand under the parent company HEIWA SEIKI KOGYO CO., LTD. Founded in 1951 and headquartered in Yashio-City, Saitama, Japan, with a wholly-owned US sales subsidiary (Libec Sales of America, Inc.) in Torrance, California, the company serves professional videographers, broadcast teams, television stations, and film production companies. Its product portfolio centers on fluid head tripod systems (NX, HS, LX series and TH-650X), pedestal systems including the motorized LX-ePed, the SWIFT JIB50 KIT with REMO30 remote head, sliders, monopods, zoom and remote controls, and accessories such as camera bags and spreaders.

The company's underlying technology is mechanical and electro-mechanical rather than software-driven. Notable proprietary features include a continuous perfect counterbalance system that balances the camera at any tilt angle, a multilayered metal drag structure rated for operation from -40°C to +60°C, a counterbalance meter with illuminated display, dual-head base specifications compatible with both 75mm bowl and flat base tripods, Arca-Swiss compatible quick-release plates, and LED-illuminated bubble levels. The LX series supports payloads up to 16 kg for studio and outside broadcast applications, and the LX-ePed introduces motorized elevation for studio automation use cases.

Libec generates revenue primarily through hardware sales via a channel-first go-to-market model. Authorized regional distributors and resellers handle local sales and support across more than 50 countries spanning North America, UK and Ireland, Europe, Central and South America, Asia and Oceania, the Middle East, and Africa. Pricing is not publicly disclosed on the company website; products are sold through the dealer network and a Shopify-based online store. Customer segments are horizontally oriented around use cases including live event production, sports broadcasting, news, corporate events, documentary filmmaking, wedding photography, and cinema production. The company is privately held with no disclosed external funding or institutional investors.

Name

Libec

Legal name

HEIWA SEIKI KOGYO CO., LTD.

Website

https://libec-global.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1951

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Libec, a Japanese manufacturer operating under HEIWA SEIKI KOGYO since 1951, designs and sells professional video tripods, fluid heads, pedestals, jibs, and camera support accessories for broadcast, cinema, live event, and documentary production customers worldwide through an authorized dealer network spanning 50+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Camera Support Equipment

NAICS

Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (33431), Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (3343)

SIC

Misc Industrial & Commercial Machinery & Equipment (3590)

akta.pro primary industry

Gimbals, Stabilizers & Camera Rigs (Handheld, Wearable, Drone Gimbals) (CRACAPAE)

Keywords

• Video tripod systems
• Fluid heads
• Camera support equipment
• Broadcast pedestals
• Professional jib systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Saitama

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Video Tripod Systems: Libec generates revenue through the sale of professional video tripod systems and camera support equipment, including heads, legs, pedestals, jibs, sliders, and accessories for broadcast, cinema, and event production.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Libec manufactures and sells professional video tripod systems, fluid heads, pedestals, jibs, remote heads, monopods, sliders, and camera support accessories for broadcast, cinema, and live event production. The product line includes the NX, HS, LX, and TH-650X tripod/head systems, LX-ePed electric pedestals, SWIFT JIB50 jib systems with REMO30 remote heads, HFMP hands-free monopods, ALX slider systems, Urban CamBag camera bags, and remote controls. Equipment is sold globally through authorized regional distributors and a US sales subsidiary.

Product overview

Libec is a manufacturer of professional video tripods, fluid heads, and film equipment under parent company Heiwa Seiki Kogyo. The product portfolio centers on camera support systems including the NX and HS series fluid head tripod systems with multi-step counterbalance mechanisms, LX series professional tripods supporting up to 16kg payloads, and TH-650X lightweight tripods with Arca-Swiss compatibility. Beyond heads and tripods, the lineup encompasses pedestal systems (including LX-ePed electric variants), SWIFT JIB50 KIT jib systems with REMO30 remote heads, monopods (HFMP hands-free series), ALX slider systems, Urban CamBag camera bags in multiple sizes, and supporting accessories including spreaders, foot pads, pan handles, remote controls (ZC-9EX, ZC-9Pro), and extension cables. The products serve broadcast, cinema, live event, corporate, and documentary production markets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NX Series Head & Tripod System Professional fluid head tripod system with multi-step counterbalance mechanism supporting up to 10kg payload, featuring dual-head specification for 75mm bowl and flat base tripods. Targeted at professional video and broadcast users.
• HS Series Head & Tripod System Advanced tripod system with continuous perfect counterbalance system enabling camera to balance at any tilt angle, supporting up to 12kg payload. Designed for professional video and broadcast production.
• LX Series Head & Tripod System Professional tripod systems with high payload and rigidity and smooth torque performance; LX10 supports up to 16kg payload for lightweight studio and outside broadcasting use.
• TH-650X Head & Tripod System Lightweight tripod system weighing 2.7kg with Arca-Swiss compatible plate, dual-head mechanism, and continuous friction control for small cameras used in photo or video shooting.
• LX-ePed Electric Pedestal Electric pedestal system for professional video production requiring smooth motorized camera elevation adjustments in studio environments.
• Pedestal Systems Professional camera pedestals for studio and broadcast applications providing stable camera movement for live and recorded production.
• SWIFT JIB50 KIT Jib system designed for easy and smooth operation in various shooting moves at sites with limited space; bundled with the REMO30 remote head for remote-controlled camera movement.
• REMO30 Remote Head Remote camera head compatible with the SWIFT JIB50 KIT for remote-controlled camera movement in various shooting environments.
• QD-30 / QD-10 Viewfinder Systems Viewfinder and demand systems for professional broadcast and studio camera operators.
• ZC-9EX Zoom Control Zoom control compatible with Sony PMW-EX cameras; usable with ZC-9Pro by removing the EX adapter. Clamps on tripod pan handles, jib arms, and other accessories.
• ZC-9Pro Zoom Control Zoom control for ENG lenses compatible with both Canon and Fujinon 8-pin lenses.
• HFMP Hands-Free Monopod Hands-free monopod system providing stable support for cameras during shooting scenarios including storm chasing, sports photography, and documentary work.
• ALX (LIBEC ALLEX) Slider System Combined tripod and slider system enabling one-man operation with various slider shots for video production, documentary, and promotional video work.
• Urban CamBag Series Modern camera bag with two storage spaces that can be combined or separated, featuring side camera access, removable inner case, laptop storage, trolley sleeve, and tripod holder. Available in 12, 12B, 17, and 17B liter capacities.
• Tripod Cases Cases and carrying solutions for transporting tripod systems and equipment.
• Spreaders & Foot Pads Spreader systems (SP-1B, SP-2B, SP-6B, SP-15B, BR-2B, BR-6B) and rubber feet (FP-1B, FP-2B, FP-6B) for tripod stabilization on various surfaces.
• Pan Handles Extendable pan handles (PH-5B, PH-6B, PH-8B, PH-15B) for fluid head operation.
• EX-530Pro Extension Zoom Cable 5.3m extension zoom cable for ENG lenses to extend reach between camera and zoom demand.

Named customers3 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Panasonic Asia Pacific Pte LtdminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Panasonic Asia Pacific utilized Libec equipment (QD-30, RSP-850) for the live broadcast coverage of Pope Francis' Mass in Singapore in 2024, indicating a working relationship for professional broadcast events.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• OConnor: OConnor is a manufacturer of professional fluid heads and camera support systems widely used in cinema production. It competes with Libec's LX and HS series in the high-payload cinema fluid head segment, also owned by Vitec Group.
• Vinten: Vinten is a global leader in broadcast camera support, specializing in robotic and manual pedestals, fluid heads, and tripod systems. It competes head-to-head with Libec in the broadcast studio and outside broadcast pedestal/head segment, also owned by Vitec Group.
• Manfrotto: Manfrotto is a global manufacturer of tripods, fluid heads, and lighting supports serving photo, video, and prosumer markets. While it spans a broader price range than Libec, it directly competes in the prosumer/professional crossover tripod segment, also owned by Vitec Group.
• Gitzo:
• Sachtler: Sachtler is a leading manufacturer of professional fluid heads and camera support systems for broadcast and cinema, owned by the Vitec Group. It is the most direct competitor to Libec in the professional fluid head tripod category, serving the same broadcast and cinema customers.
• Miller Camera Support Equipment:

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ltvglobal
• Facebookfacebook.com/libecsales
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/libec
• Instagraminstagram.com/libecglobal

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Libec