Multi-billion dollar US firm acquires Northwich IT company

US-headquartered technology distributor Ingram Micro has acquired Cheshire IT company Comms-care.

The deal, completed for an undisclosed sum, will see the Northwich-based IT services provider broaden Ingram Micro’s offer and continue to trade under its existing brand identity.

Further, Comms-care shareholders chairman Peter Lloyd, technical director Darren Briscoe and managing director Ben Davies will retain their posts. The trio bought the business six years ago in a management buyout.

Established in 2002, today Comms-care employs 225 people and provides IT support and maintenance services to around 850 IT distributors, vendors and resellers in the UK, Ireland and Europe.

In 2014, Comms-care expanded with the acquisition of Runcorn firm Platform Consultancy Services.

Commenting on the deal, MD Ben Davies said: “Ingram Micro provides us with the perfect platform to achieve our objectives of growing our business and helping our partners achieve more.

“Ingram Micro’s broad geographic reach and sterling reputation with vendor and customer partners throughout the world will enable us to expand our coverage into new regions and broaden our offerings to channel partners. We are pleased to join such a global leader.”

New York Stock Exchange-listed Ingram Micro, which is ranked 62nd on the Fortune 500 list of the US’ biggest businesses, is headquartered in Irvine, California. With around 27k employees across 122 distribution centres, the firm’s customer base spans 160 countries.

In 2014, Ingram Micro reported a global revenue of $46.5bn.

Ingram Micro’s vice president and UK chief country executive, Brent McCarty, commented: “The addition of Comms-care supports our strategy to expand our global capabilities and expertise in fast-growing, high-value markets.”

Just recently, Ingram Micro agreed a deal worth $6bn to be snapped up by Chinese shipping company Tianjin Tianhai. As part of the transaction, which is due to complete in H2 2016, Ingram Micro will become a subsidiary of Tianjin Tianhai owner HNA Group.

In its sale to Ingram Micro, Comms-care’s shareholders were advised by Nigel Barratt and Ben Bradley from the corporate finance arm of North West accountants HURST, along with Rachel Murphy and James Thompson from HURST’s tax team.

Meanwhile, David Paterson and Alex Hall from Leeds-based Blacks Solicitors provided legal advice.

HURST’s Nigel Barratt commented: “We have advised Comms-care on compliance and strategy for a decade and assisted with the 2010 management buyout and the acquisition of Platform Consultancy Services.

“Comms-care is a tremendously successful business which is assured of a strong future as part of Ingram Micro.”

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