Liège (Belgium), Omaha, NE & Iola, KS (USA) – 13 April 2026/ CinemaNext today announced the successful completion of the sale of CinemaNext U.S. (formerly Sonic Equipment Company and its manufacturing division, Kneisley Manufacturing) to Strong Technical Services (STS). This strategic transaction marks a pivotal milestone in CinemaNext's long-term roadmap, enabling the company to sharpen its focus on European market leadership while ensuring an unmatched level of service continuity for its U.S. customer base.
For more than a decade, CinemaNext has built the most extensive cinema services network in Europe and Africa, now operating across 21 countries and serving over 13,000 screens. The company's integrated offering - spanning projection and audio equipment sales and services, TMS, equipment automation and content management, NOC support, consulting, seating, and outfitting - provides exhibitors with a complete, end-to-end technology and support ecosystem.
This transaction brings together two of the industry's most respected service providers. By combining CinemaNext's robust remote support capabilities and the historic manufacturing excellence of Kneisley with STS's expansive field service and installation expertise, the combined entity is positioned to deliver an unmatched end-to-end solution for exhibitors across North America.
"This acquisition isn't just about expanding STS's map; it's about bringing together the best technical minds in the business," said Blake Titman, President and CEO of Strong Technical Services. "Our customers will benefit from a deeper pool of expertise, faster response times, and a continued commitment to the high-touch service they've come to expect from both organizations."
"Joining forces with STS is the right next step for our US colleagues and our American customers," said Donald McGarva, Group CEO of CinemaNext. "The combined resources of STS and CinemaNext U.S. create a technical powerhouse capable of supporting the evolving needs of the American cinema industry as technology continues to advance."
For CinemaNext, the sale enables a deliberate and focused acceleration of its European strategy. This will allow the company to continue to expand and invest across the European region as well as in its CinemaNext Solutions division, expanding its portfolio of proprietary software, automation tools and hardware solutions designed to optimise cinema operations and elevate the moviegoing experience.
"This transaction is a forward-looking step that allows us to concentrate our resources and talent where our competitive advantages are most pronounced," said McGarva. "We are confident that Strong Technical Services, a respected and capable industry leader, will ensure outstanding continuity and service for our U.S. partners, and we look forward to seeing what the combined team will achieve."
ABOUT CINEMANEXT
CinemaNext is the largest cinema exhibition services company in Europe, Africa and North America, providing smart, comprehensive solutions across the board, from projection equipment, audio systems, central systems, premium cinema solutions, cinema outfitting, content management, 3D projection systems & glasses, TMS, digital signage, screens to consulting services. Clients enjoy the highest level of reliability and lowest cost of ownership through our various services: consulting, design & project management, equipment sales and financing, installation, maintenance, support (NOC), online monitoring, content management, spare and consumables, service agreements and supply chain & logistics. 13,000 screens have been installed by our technicians to date. 9,500 screens in Europe currently avail of service contracts with our company. CinemaNext's main office is located in Liège (Belgium). Regional offices can be found in 21 countries across Europe, Africa, and North America. For more information, please connect to https://www.cinemanext.com.
ABOUT STRONG TECHNICAL SERVICES
Strong Technical Services (STS) is the leading provider of end-to-end technical solutions for the cinema exhibition, themed entertainment, and commercial AV industries. STS leverages a nationwide network of elite field engineers, a state-of-the-art remote support center, and specialized manufacturing capabilities to ensure peak operational performance for its partners. From large-scale technology deployments to 24/7 mission-critical support, STS is dedicated to transforming the guest experience through technical excellence and innovation. For more information, visit strong-tech.com.
CinemaNext Completes Sale of U.S. Operations to Strong Technical Services, Sharpening European Focus