Rising from Challenges: How Grass Valley Stabilized and Innovated Under New Leadership
By Stephanie R
In this article by Tom Butts, we get an in-depth look at Grass Valley’s recent transformation and their plans for the 2025 NAB Show. The article outlines how the company has navigated significant challenges over the past decade, particularly regarding ownership changes and leadership transitions.
Grass Valley, after changing hands multiple times since 2010 (from Francisco Partners to Belden to Dragon Capital), has emerged as a powerhouse in live TV production. The company made significant acquisitions along the way, notably Miranda in 2012 and SAM (formerly Snell & Wilcox) in 2018, strengthening their market position.
After serving as President and COO, Jon Wilson, formerly of Telestream, has recently been announced as Grass Valley’s new CEO. He leads a refreshed executive team that includes several new members in key positions. Wilson addressed the company’s transformation in an interview with TV Tech, highlighting that when Louis Hernandez Jr. bought the business in 2020, it required substantial restructuring to become financially viable. This transformation was complicated by the pandemic, which created significant supply chain challenges.
Despite these obstacles, Grass Valley has achieved impressive financial growth in 2024, reporting a 25% increase in bookings and a 70% rise in camera sales. The company has also stabilized its supply chain, reducing lead times to 2-4 weeks for most products. A $220 million financing deal with Morgan Stanley in early 2024 was crucial in stabilizing their balance sheet and allowing for inventory and service investments.
Central to Grass Valley’s technological strategy is AMPP (Agile Media Processing Platform), which Wilson describes as “an operating system for media” and “central to the future of Grass Valley.” He emphasized that while AMPP drives growth, the company remains committed to leading in camera technology, switchers, and infrastructure products.
For the upcoming 2025 NAB Show in Las Vegas, Grass Valley will showcase its integrated GVMU ecosystem at booth N506 in the North Hall. Their exhibit will feature new products, including the LDX 180 camera with the Super35 Xenios imager, the LDX 110 with RF for wireless production, and the LDX 135 with 5G capabilities. The company is also carefully considering AI implementation, taking a measured approach based on customer feedback and practical applications.
Regarding tariffs, Wilson noted that while Canada (where their manufacturing is based) was exempt from recent tariff announcements, any future tariffs would impact pricing. He confirmed they’re not implementing normal annual price increases but would need to adjust prices if tariffs come into effect. Wilson also stated that moving manufacturing to the U.S. is “not a viable option” for maintaining their quality standards.
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