Lighting Service Provider Rebounds From Industry Strikes to Meet Increased Demand
A Conversation With Daniel Bortz, Owner, Kinetic Lighting
Kinetic Lighting
Business Snapshot
Kinetic Lighting provides theatrical and studio lighting services to studio, corporate, exhibit, theater and live-event markets internationally. While focused on lighting, its range of services includes equipment rentals, sales, show support, lighting design and previsualization.
Business Leader
Daniel Bortz, Owner
Headquarters
Glendale, California
What are the biggest challenges you face as a business?
Coming out of the pandemic and entertainment strikes, our industry went from hibernating-cold to hot, and we needed to keep up with the increased demand. We didn’t want to have to pass on projects with our long-time loyal clients simply because we didn’t have enough product. We knew we had to increase our rental inventory as quickly as possible, hire more staff and deal with the larger system sales that have a longer timeline.
With the economic slowdown and subsequent rebound, it all seemed to be a very daunting task. We had to find a multifaceted banking solution.
How did Enterprise help solve these challenges?
Enterprise had acquired our previous bank, which turned out to be a blessing. Enterprise worked with us to plot a strategy to help us take advantage of our increase in business, increase our line of credit and help with our relocation.
In 2022, we completely outgrew our 24,000-square-foot facility and were able to successfully move to our present 61,000 square-foot building. We had to tackle the move to our new, present larger location and simultaneously increase our inventory. Our new relationship with Enterprise turned out to be perfect timing to navigate a path to accommodate an increased line of credit and expand our inventory.
We have a decades-long history with our banker, who was extremely helpful when our bank merged with Enterprise and made our transition seamless. Enterprise was well-positioned and open-minded to take on the challenges with us. Coming out of the pandemic, our steep growth was in large part attributed to entertainment lighting system sales to institutional clients and the greater demand for entertainment rental equipment.
Enterprise provided a line-of-credit bridge to solve the longer installation project cycles. Coordinating a line of credit and long-term equipment financing enabled us to keep our loyal clients and tackle new opportunities. The long-term equipment loan had a one-year drawdown aspect, which was very helpful because the worldwide supply chain slowdown meant the equipment delivery took several months.
What is the impact on your business?
The whole entertainment lighting world was rocked to its core but Enterprise had enough confidence in us to accommodate our needs and make our future growth secure.
It took a unique bank to see past the economic static and trust us. Even with the challenge of the pandemic and the broad effects of the entertainment industry strikes, Enterprise worked with us to handle our rebound and growth.
Enterprise has been the “quiet fifth Beatle” to help us get to where we are today. For the future, we feel confident we can rely on Enterprise to be by our side to help navigate our continued growth.
