Member Article

Lancashire radio solutions company joins global brand

Fylde Micro Limited, a radio trunking solutions company based near Blackpool, has been acquired by Sepura, a leading global provider of critical communications solutions, for an initial cash consideration of £2.75 million.

Fylde Micro have been pioneers in the field of radio trunking for over thirty years, gaining a worldwide reputation for its work in the Professional Mobile Radio (“PMR”) market.

The firm develops and manufactures trunking controllers used in PMR basestations, forming the core of the radio infrastructure.

Fylde’s latest product, the Multi-Lingo controller, is one of the most sophisticated on the market and creates a network that can utilise multiple standards simultaneously.

Gordon Watling, Chief Executive Officer of Sepura, said: “Our acquisition of Fylde Micro adds a further dimension to our critical communications portfolio and, specifically, enhances our recently launched DMR offering.

“Combining our DMR portfolio with Fylde’s innovative trunking solutions increases our ability to offer customers cost effective, flexible solutions to migrate their existing analogue networks to digital.”

Brian Seedle, Chairman of Fylde, said: “We are thrilled to be joining the Sepura group at such an exciting time for the PMR industry.

“Sepura has established itself as a catalyst for analogue to digital migration, enabling increasing numbers of organisations to realise the productivity gains provided by digital communications solutions.

“Combining our respective product portfolios offers analogue users a simpler more cost effective migration strategy, and provides further market reach for our range of products through access to the renowned Sepura network of partners and distributors.”

National business law firm DWF advised the shareholders of Fylde Micro on the sale.

Frank Shephard, head of corporate in the North West, led the deal at DWF.

He said: “Fylde has a fantastic reputation and its technology will further enhance Sepura’s communications portfolio, enabling the company to provide its customers with more cost effective, flexible solutions as they migrate their existing analogue networks to digital.”

Mr Shephard was supported on the deal by senior solicitor Darren Ormsby and trainee solicitor Katy Phillips in the corporate team at DWF. Mills & Reeve acted for Sepura.

DWF’s 80-strong corporate team has seen a 140% year-on-year increase in deal volumes across the UK with particular growth in the technology, financial services and real estate sectors.

The firm’s experienced technology team advises an extensive base of international clients, including listed businesses, multinational corporations, owner-managed businesses, local authorities and major industrial and provident societies.

This includes corporate and commercial technology-related work, including data security, data protection, intellectual property, procurement and outsourcing.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .