Echolab ATEM Switcher, RIP
May 20th was a sad day, as we are now learning. Echolab, maker of what I thought to be the very best small video switcher, the ATEM, has closed it’s doors and is in liquidation. Echolab had transferred sales of the ATEM to Harris, but apparently the money man behind the deal didn’t see it as a good continued investment.
Personally, I’m very bummed about this as we were planning on purchasing an ATEM this summer. The value, I/O capability, not to mention the new features they rolled out at NAB were unparalleled in the small switcher segment. No word yet on what they will be doing with existing inventory, or how support will be handled. So I guess it’s back to the drawing board for me on switcher research. Compromises will now have to be made…
Here’s a letter Echolab president, Nigel Spratling, who is a heck of a nice guy, sent to suppliers last week.
Dear all,
It is with much sadness that I have to tell you that yesterday (May 19th) Echolab was put into liquidation. Our primary investor who had negotiated the recent agreement with Harris had decided that he was no longer prepared to fund the company through the transition.
I am truly sorry that this action leaves many unemployed, suppliers with unpaid bills and customers with unsupported products. The recent introduction of and expanded Atem switcher family look set to take us into growth and profit as the market reception was excellent and our sales funnel was sized at $2M as a result.
I truly believe that our small team had created the very best of breed in small and medium sized production switchers and at a price point that provided exceptional value with good margins, facing the loss of these efforts is difficult for everyone involved.
The liquidation company will be trying to sell the companies assets and product IP and inventory in order to pay creditors over the next few weeks. Hopefully they will be successful in their efforts.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.
Best regards,
Nigel Spratling
President & CEO
Echolab Inc.
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Mike,
Thank you for your comments. I am working hard to see what can be done to bring the Atem products back to market.
While dead, we are not yet buried. I will keep you posted, my team and I truly believe in the products we have created. I am encouraged by all of the positive comments I have received, even under shuch dire circumstances.
Nigel Spratling