Polar Graphics have been importing and distributing products for the film, TV and Multimedia industries for over 17 years - however, its history goes far beyond that. Many of you may recall Polar Video. You may even remember the notorious Polar/VME IBC parties at the Subterfuge club and Pink Coconut in Brighton. Well, Peter Rowsell, who is the MD and founding member of Polar Graphics, was a partner in Polar Video and largely responsible for those manic evenings.
Peter started his career at Eclair Debrie and Rank Film Equipment selling lighting, film cameras and then later moving into the fledgling video industry. Peter built upon his experiences in the film markets to help establish a European network of resellers for Convergence Corp, who manufactured the first linear joystick operated editing system in the world. Subsequently, he joined forces with Fred Smith to form Polar Video and established a worldwide distribution network for their products.
Peter started Polar Graphics in 1994 and his decades of experience in sales, marketing and manufacturing has led to a successful distribution company with strong relationships with both manufacturers and dealers/end users alike. Starting with Ultimatte products and then taking on BorisFX and Digieffects it was obvious that the market was moving heavily into non-linear Digital production. This generated the need for Polar to spread its wings and hence the introduction of Digital Voodoo/Bluefish444 and disc storage products. Most recently, the introduction of StorageDNA, Apantac and Stardom products have complemented the line-up.
Polar's main aim is to have an exclusive range of non-competitive products and to distribute those products through their UK and European dealer network.
Polar have a policy of selling their product range through a dealer network where ever possible. This gives dealers the confidence that they can work closely with Polar, feeling confident that Polar will not try to take customers from them. Meanwhile, Polar have always been happy to talk to end-users direct in order to maintain the highest level of technical service to their dealers and their dealers customers.