Imax Corporation has completed a deal to merge with The Trumbull Company in the u.s. under the duo-buyout of Imax and Trumbull by WGIM Acquisition. Trumbull will become a wholly-owned Imax subsidiary under the deal.

u.s.-based wgim is comprised of Bradley Wechsler and Richard Gelfond of Cheviot Capital Advisors, Douglas Trumbull and Wasserstein Perella Partners. Wechsler will serve as chairman and interim ceo with Gelfond and Trumbull sharing the vice-chairman title.

The five former Imax principals – Graeme Ferguson, Robert Kerr, Roman Kroitor, Bill Shaw and Bill Breukelman – will remain with the new company as consultants.

Trumbull’s Ridefilm ‘simulation’ theaters (the company created the ‘movie ride’ concept on display at Universal Studios’ amusement parks) will combine with Imax’s technological savvy in sound and projection to create packages for theme parks and other special venues. The objective is to develop more ‘audience-immersive’ attractions.

Trumbull calls the deal a ‘unique marriage’ which will allow for the creation of ‘exciting productions that cannot be duplicated on any other system.’

The deal comes at the end of Imax’s four-year search for a buyer, which started at home and then moved south of the border. Imax will maintain headquarters in Toronto. PC