Viewpoint bosses fly solo after Claremont MBO
BOSSES at Warrington-based Viewpoint, a small provider of AV, multi-media and communication services, have bought the company out of Claremont Group Interiors, the property fit-out contractor.
The spin-off deal for the £1.5m-turnover unit is similar to another former Claremont business, Airangel, a guest internet access technology provider to hotels.
The Viewpoint buyout was led by Claremont director Graham Smith, Michael Creasey and Tony Whitehead and has been funded through a combination of private investment and bank finance from the Royal Bank of Scotland, in conjunction with the Enterprise Guarantee Scheme.
As a division within Claremont, Viewpoint turned over £1.5m during the financial year (2011-2012) and expects to grow to £1.8m in its first year as an independent business.
Viewpoint managing director Graham Smith said: “This deal gives us greater scope to grow Viewpoint without the constraints that come with being part of a bigger business.
“In particular, it is our in-house systems design expertise that sets us apart from the competition and allows us to get involved with projects at a much earlier stage. The business already has a strong foundation, including a well-established client list, and we have secured our first new win already, a £500,000 contract with our client Imperial Tobacco.
“Over and above our core business of designing, delivering and servicing technology solutions, we also see real opportunity for Viewpoint with the integration of technology into systems furniture. Our history as part of an interior design company and our track record providing training environments to the defence sector holds us in good stead.”
Its team has already been boosted by the arrival of Rowan Brunger from SMART Technologies re-seller, Steljes. Mr Brunger, who will lead Viewpoint’s business development has become a shareholder in the business.
Mike Gardner, executive chairman of Claremont Group Interiors said: “Viewpoint’s management buy-out is our second technology success story. Viewpoint has followed in the footsteps of Airangel, a £2.2m turnover business, which started out within the Claremont group of companies and I’m confident Viewpoint will equal their success.”
Viewpoint has moved out of Claremont’s office in Birchwood, although £22m turnover group Claremont will continue to be a major client for the business.
