Cineplex Starburst Inc And Brady Distributing Co Merge Into Brady Starburst LCC

TORONTO -- Cineplex Starburst Inc., based here, and Brady Distributing Co. said they have formed a new enterprise that will immediately become one of North America's largest distributors of amusement and vending equipment. The new venture will operate under the moniker Brady Starburst LLC, or BSL. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Brady reportedly markets and supports products for about 70 original equipment manufacturers, and is an authorized service center for several of them. Founded in 1944 by C.B. Brady and headquartered in Charlotte, NC, Brady was one of the oldest and longest-running distributorships in the U.S.

Brady president Jon W. Brady has been appointed president of BSL, which will continue to provide services to U.S. family entertainment centers and operating companies from offices located in Charlotte, Miami and Orlando.

Cineplex Starburst Inc. was created in 2012 as a joint venture between Cineplex Entertainment and Starburst Coin Machines. It says it is the largest distributor and operator of amusement and vending equipment in Canada. Cineplex Entertainment, Canada's largest movie theater operator, is a 50% owner of CSI, which also owns the Playdium FEC in Mississauga, ON, Canada.

"We are very pleased to join forces with as fine and experienced a team of professionals as exists presently at Brady Distributing Co.," said CSI president Len Keywood. "We know with the financial support and other resources we are contributing to this business, BSL will be a tremendous platform to leverage the reputation, credibility and relationships that both of these organizations possess."