Derann

Derann Film Services, usually referred to as Derann, is an electronics store and film distributor, notable for being the worlds biggest distributor of Super 8 mm film.^[1][2][3]

History

Derann was founded in 1964 by Derek Simmonds (December 23, 1935 - September 19, 2002)^[4] and his wife Anne, whose first names made up the company title. Originally renting out 8 mm films from a spare bedroom in their Stourbridge, England home, they soon grew to have a large customer base, which eventually required them to re-locate their business to downtown Dudley.

In the following years, the company secured deals with MCA, EMI, United Artists, 20th Century Fox and eventually Disney, and by the early 1980s had around 10,000 titles in their library ^[1] During this period both Betamax and VHS entered the market, and so the company expanded their catalogue to include these formats as well. A few years later the company began delivering home electronics, supplying TV sets, stereos and other audiovisual equipment. By the late 80s and early 90s, 8 mm film was seeing a rapid decline, as video was cheaper, easier and took up less space. Despite this, Derann continued to deliver 8 mm subjects to its customers around the world, and still does today.^[5] Following the death of founder Derek Simmonds in 2002, his son Adrian Simmonds took over the company, and still runs it today. As of 2010, they are the largest independent electric retailer in Dudley and the worlds biggest Super 8mm film distributor. Derann closed in September, 2011.

References