Dixons sells NW-based IT arm Equanet

ELECTRONICS retailer Dixons has sold its Equanet division, which employs around 300 people in Bury, Greater Manchester.

Equanet, which provides IT services to medium-sized  large businesses and public sector organisations, is being bought by Kelway, the London based IT solutions and services provider. Financial terms were not disclosed.

In a statement Dixons said: “The disposal comprises the IT reseller activities based in Bury along with the Equanet brand name.  Dixons Retail will continue to operate its successful PCWorld Business B2B offer online and in stores.”

Sebastian James, chief executive of Dixons Retail said: The agreement to dispose of Equanet demonstrates further progress in refocusing our business on leadership positions in key markets and territories whilst at the same time, giving Equanet the opportunity to flourish in the specialist B2B market under the ownership of Kelway.”

The Equanet  business traces its roots to 1976 when it was founded as DN Computer Services on Middleton. It was acquired by PC World Business in 1997.