Bank funds take-off of flight services firm

A KNUTSFORD-based company that offers in-flight gaming and entertainment systems to major airlines has received a £1m facility from Barclays Corporate to help with its expansion.
IFE Services, which was set up in 1997, is to use the £1m bid and performance bond facility to open up into new markets and offer other products.
The firm’s latest innovation has been a deal with Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) to distribute its PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system to airlines. It also recently announced a deal with Thomas Cook Airlines to supply entertainment systems to 32 of the 44 aircraft in its UK fleet.
The company, which is based on the Pavilions Business Park, is party of Travel Entertainment Group – in which private equity firm Greenhills Capital Partners Europe has a stake. It employs around 75 people.
“IFE Services is a thriving business with a reputation for innovation and quality”, said the company’s CEO, Mark Hogg. “Our global footprint has grown exponentially within the travel entertainment industry following a succession of major client wins and strategic expansion into key markets and regions . We want a bank for the long-term that provides us with strong support and who understands our market.”