Solar swoops for fellow cloud services provider

Salford-based Solar Communications has acquired Cardiff-based TWL for an undisclosed fee.

Solar, which also has sites in Chippenham and Harlow and had a turnover of £14.8m in the year to December, 2016, says the strategic move will significantly strengthen its share of the business communications marketplace, and enhance its position as a major managed service cloud communications provider.

The company says the addition of TWL reinforces its position as a Mitel ‘Gold Solutions’ and ‘Gold Cloud Solutions’ partner, and further demonstrates the organisation’s ambition to be a leading provider of cloud, onsite and hybrid UCaaS (unified communications as a service) solutions.

TWL has already been successful in migrating many of its on-premises customers to the cloud which is also a key focus area of Solar.

Solar bought Response Date Ltd in July, 2016 and Denwa Ltd in December. It employs 90 people across its three sites.

Solar chief executive John Whitty said: “This latest and exciting addition to the Solar Group follows the successful purchase and thorough integration of our two acquisitions in 2016.

“The team have demonstrated that they are able to join together new additions to the group, whilst realising the benefits expected and continuing to maintain excellent customer service.

“Solar is determined to address the under-served mid-market with innovative and value-enhancing capabilities, both organically and via strategic acquisition.”

TWL founder and managing director Andrew Nicholson said: “The TWL team spent the last 14 years building and developing a strong company and service offering and have had the pleasure of working with some great customers.

“With Solar’s strong portfolio and service-led culture I am convinced that the business will go from strength to strength and all of us at TWL look forward to playing a significant part in the future.”