A Scottish engineering entrepreneur has launched a range of tracking systems for cameras to capitalise on the boom in video production encouraged by smartphones.
Kevin Priestley's Vacion produces a range of systems that can be used to take the kind of tracking shots that are a staple of movies. They can move the cameras from left to right or take shots that pan up and down.
The range includes products targeted at amateurs who are using their mobile phones to shoot video footage as well as more sophisticated models for professionals.
The Irvine-based businessman developed the systems using German technology that he had applied to produce tracking systems used in computerised engineering machines.
He said: "As we had invested so much time and accumulated so much market knowledge, we decided we could take these products to the next level with our own designs."
Priced at from £75 to £450, Mr Priestley is confident the products could appeal to a broad market.
"We are one of only two companies globally to be producing these products at such a level and we expect to be able to sell across the board from professionals and semi-professionals to keen amateurs," he said.
The range includes a 0.5m metre slider fitted with a mobile phone mount, which the company says can be carried in a rucksack.
After investing around £50,000 developing the product and buying in materials, Mr Priestley has been encouraged by the response.
Vacion sold 150 systems in the first four weeks, with orders from the UK and the USA. It has not yet signed up any retailers to market the product.
With the capacity to produce 3000 units a month, Vacion is predicting that the venture will achieve turnover of more than £2 million within two years.
Success for Vacion would provide a fillip for Mr Priestley's NPI Solutions engineering business, which makes the systems. The company increased sales by 25% annually in 2012, to £2m.
However, Mr Priestley noted, while the market has been buoyant, sub-contractors are dependent on other firms for business.
"We always wanted to have our own products to fill any troughs," he said.
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