Matthews Tentatively OKs Acquiring Arriflex Gear

Matthews Studio Equipment Group in Burbank said it has tentatively agreed to buy most of the studio grip equipment of Arriflex Corp. for an undisclosed price.

Both Matthews and Arriflex, a unit of Arnold & Richter, supply production equipment to the movie and television industries. Matthews’ acquisition is subject to a final audit expected to be completed by the end of the month.

Separately, Matthews said its stock will begin trading on the National Assn. of Securities Dealers’ National Market System beginning today. The NMS is the primary trading arena for the largest stocks in the over-the-counter market, an electronic trading system governed by the NASD.