LEE Filters Expands its Global Presence with Opening of LEE Filters Canada

TORONTO (July 12, 2021) — LEE Filters, a leading manufacturer of high-quality lighting gels and photographic filters and a member of the Panavision family of brands, has announced the opening of offices of LEE Filters Canada. As part of the expansion, LEE welcomes Colin Sangster, Country Manager for Canada, who will be based at the new, dedicated office and distribution centre for LEE Filters Canada at Panavision Toronto.

After more than 30 years of selling mostly lighting products in Canada through a distributor, LEE Filters is establishing its own footprint on the ground to sell and support all LEE products as part of its global development strategy. This will enable the company to grow its photographic filters business in Canada as well as advance its existing lighting business. Customers and dealers will benefit from improved customer service, dedicated LEE Filters technical support, and access to a wider range of products and inventory, including the recently launched LEE85 modular filter system designed for the latest mirrorless cameras.

"Following three decades of focused distribution into the Canadian lighting market, LEE Filters' decision to open our own fully stocked dealer distribution centre in Toronto will provide significantly expanded inventory and supply chain facilities for our loyal and growing specialist dealer base in Canada," said Tim Haskell, Sales Director at LEE Filters. "Colin's experience in servicing the fast-changing needs of dealers across the country will be a huge asset in providing the highest quality service to LEE users."

Sangster brings more than 20 years of experience representing global brands serving the Canadian film, television and theatre industries, including as general manager of a leading national retailer and distributor. At LEE Filters he will be responsible for servicing the lighting and camera filter requirements for all Canadian customers.

"No one is more aware than we are how important it is to supply lighting and camera filters on a timely basis to production companies, studios and photographers working on tight deadlines," said Sangster. "By opening this new facility to better support our dealers, we aim to make LEE products readily available to all of our customers, no matter where they're located in Canada."

Having a dedicated Canadian presence will also bring LEE closer to the local market, which will help the company develop new products that continue to meet customers’ lighting and photographic needs.