Indian facilities company Reliance MediaWorks (RMW) has gained a UK presence after buying the assets of Soho film processing company iLab.

The move will see RMW open a dedicated film and media services facility in Ilab’s Poland Street building. It will offer front-end, processing, restoration, 2D to 3D conversion and post-production services to broadcasters and producers.

RMW chief executive Anil Arjun said: “The acquisition of iLab not only allows us to strengthen our services portfolio in UK, but we are also fortunate to gain talent, experience and local learning the iLab team brings onboard.”

Reliance MediaWorks UK (RMW UK) has already secured image processing and restoration work for two high profile projects from leading UK broadcasters.

The work will be completed at the company’s LA subsidiary Lowry Digital.

The new company will dovetail with RMW’s lab facility in Mumbai and will be also be able to offer lab, rushes and transfer services to the many Indian films that are shot on location in the UK each year.

The buyout is the latest twist in a turbulent 12 months for iLab. The company merged with Rocket Post in 2009 only to be forced to close its Frith Street facility and make a number of staff redundant.

Reliance MediaWorks Limited is a member of the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group.

The company operates BIG Cinemas, India’s largest cinema chain.