Wigwam Acoustics bought by SSE

WIGWAM Acoustics, which supplies sound systems for major artists such as Coldplay and One Direction, has been bought by a Midlands-based rival.

Redditch-based SSE Audio Group has acquired the company for an undisclosed sum after securing a £5.7m funding injection from the Royal Bank of Scotland Corporate Transactions.

Wigwam, owned by Mick Spratt and Chris Hill, is based in Heywood, near Rochdale. It was established in 1982.

SSE said the deal made it the biggest audio production company in the UK, employing 140 full time staff with forecast revenues of more than £20m.

SSE provides audio packages for large festivals such as Reading and Leeds, T in the Park, and the Download. Wigwam works mainly in the touring market and is currently supplying One Direction and Coldplay.

SSE’s group managing director John Penn said: “The addition of Wigwam is another significant milestone in the company’s policy of growth through acquisition, which commenced in 2001 when we merged with Melpomen SAS in France.

“Since then we have made a number of acquisitions, but Wigwam is the largest and most significant – creating the largest audio group in the UK. We expect there to be further consolidation within the industry and envisage that the SSE Group will continue to grow both organically and through further targeted acquisitions.”

Mick Spratt said: “Chris Hill and I were looking for a route to secure a long term future for Wigwam and our staff which would be least disruptive to what is a very successful company. We’ve known and respected John and Heather and the people at SSE for over 30 years and believe that both companies have similar cultures and vision.”

Redditch-based SSE Audio Group has acquired the company for an undisclosed sum after securing a £5.7m funding injection from the Royal Bank of Scotland Corporate Transactions.

Wigwam, owned by Mick Spratt and Chris Hill, is based in Heywood, near Rochdale. It was established in 1982.

SSE said the deal made it the biggest audio production company in the UK, employing 140 full time staff with forecast revenues of more than £20m.

SSE provides audio packages for large festivals such as Reading and Leeds, T in the Park, and the Download. Wigwam works mainly in the touring market and is currently supplying One Direction and Coldplay.

SSE’s group managing director John Penn said: “The addition of Wigwam is another significant milestone in the company’s policy of growth through acquisition, which commenced in 2001 when we merged with Melpomen SAS in France.

“Since then we have made a number of acquisitions, but Wigwam is the largest and most significant – creating the largest audio group in the UK. We expect there to be further consolidation within the industry and envisage that the SSE Group will continue to grow both organically and through further targeted acquisitions.”

Mick Spratt said: “Chris Hill and I were looking for a route to secure a long term future for Wigwam and our staff which would be least disruptive to what is a very successful company. We’ve known and respected John and Heather and the people at SSE for over 30 years and believe that both companies have similar cultures and vision.”