ANS doubles in size with £4.8m swoop
MANCHESTER-based IT specialist ANS Group has nearly doubled in size after spending £4.85m on data management and storage company, Alpha Business Computers.
Plus-listed ANS, which provides telecoms, data storage and IT consultancy services to business and the public sector, said the deal would make it the “most capable” mid-market IT solutions providers in the UK.
Alpha employs 40 people in Manchester and London and expects an operating profit of £500,000 in the year to December on sales of £15m.
ANS said the operations will be merged over the next 12 months to create an enlarged group with sales of £35m and around 100 staff.
Alpha’s sellers, sales director Simon Birney, and technical director Howard Johnson, have agreed to join the ANS management team following completion.
ANS’ chairman and founder Scott Fletcher said: “Today marks the beginning of an exciting new era for the company. Customers will benefit from the breadth and depth of our solutions, our commitment to quality and our ability to provide truly first-class service delivery.”
ANS has agreed to pay £2.3m of the consideration in cash with a further £2m due in instalments over the next 30 months. The balance has been paid in ANS shares. Sarah Walton of Mace and Jones advised ANS on the transaction.
