After my report yesterday regarding the imminent closure of Australian film / TV icon Miller Tripods, I have received the following press release with all of the details.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Miller Camera Support Equipment Announces Closure Following Owners’ Retirement
After 72 Years of Innovation
Sydney, Australia, 24th August 2026 – Miller Camera Support Equipment today
announced that the company will cease operations on 30th September 2026, following
the retirement of owners Mark and Diane Clementson. The Clementson family has
proudly owned and operated the business for 55 years, and their retirement brings to a
close an extraordinary 72 year chapter in the history of the global film and television
industry.
The company’s final day of trading will be 25TH September 2026, after which Miller will
complete an orderly wind down of its operations while continuing to support customers
and fulfil existing commitments during the transition period.
Founded in Sydney in 1954, Miller has become one of Australia’s most respected
manufacturing and export success stories. The company’s origins, however, trace back
to the pioneering work of founder Robert Eric Miller (Bob Miller), whose invention of the
world’s first patented fluid action tripod head in 1946 revolutionised camera support
technology and transformed the way film and television content is produced around the
world.
Prior to Miller’s breakthrough innovation, camera operators relied on noisy gear-driven
mechanisms that limited movement and creative flexibility. The introduction of the
Miller fluid action head provided smooth and controlled pan and tilt movements,
enabling filmmakers an
Over the decades, Miller products became a trusted choice for broadcasters,
cinematographers, filmmakers, journalists, production companies, and content
creators worldwide. Renowned for engineering excellence, durability, and the distinctive
performance known as “The Right Feel,” Miller established a reputation for quality that
has endured across generations of camera operators and evolving production
technologies.
A Legacy of Innovation
Reflecting on the announcement, owner Mark Clementson said:
“This decision has not been made lightly. Miller has been much more than a business; it
has been a lifelong passion and an important part of our family’s history.
We are incredibly proud of what the company has achieved over the past 72 years and
of the role Miller has played in supporting storytellers around the world. From major
international sporting events and news broadcasts to documentaries, television
productions, and feature films, Miller products have helped capture countless
moments that have shaped our world.
Most importantly, we would like to thank our employees, customers, distributors,
suppliers, and industry partners for their unwavering support, loyalty, and friendship
over many decades. Their contribution has been fundamental to Miller’s success.”
Supporting Customers Through Transition
The company has advised that it will continue operating throughout the transition period
and is committed to maintaining customer support and fulfilling existing obligations
wherever possible.
Direct communication has commenced with employees, distributors, customers, and
suppliers to ensure all stakeholders remain informed throughout the closure process.
A Lasting Industry Contribution
While Miller Camera Support Equipment will conclude operations in September 2026,
its influence on the global broadcast and film industry will continue through the
enduring impact of Bob Miller’s innovation and the generations of professionals who
have relied on Miller products throughout their careers.
For more than seven decades, the company has exemplified Australian ingenuity,
engineering excellence, and a commitment to supporting visual storytellers around the
world.
As the business prepares for its final chapter, Miller does so with gratitude, pride, and
confidence that its legacy will endure wherever cameras continue to capture the
stories, events, and moments that define our lives.
About Miller Camera Support Equipment
Miller Camera Support Equipment is an Australian manufacturer of professional camera
support systems and the inventor of the world’s first patented fluid action tripod head.
Founded in Sydney, the company has supplied camera support solutions to
broadcasters, cinematographers, filmmakers, and production professionals worldwide
for more than 72 years. Miller products are recognised globally for their quality,
reliability, innovation, and performance.
Miller Camera Support Equipment
Website: www.millertripods.com