OFFICE solutions provider ACS Systems has been acquired by one of Europe’s major IT providers.
Multinational technology company Bechtle has worked on several projects with ACS over the years and now ACS co-founder Jon Thorpe has secured a future-oriented succession plan for the Northampton-based business.
The executive management team of ACS will remain in their current roles and oversee the process of integrating the company into the Bechtle Group together with James Napp, managing director of Bechtle direct UK.
The acquisition of ACS forms part of Bechtle’s continued acquisition strategy which in 2021 saw sites outside Germany, Austria and Switzerland added to the IT System House & Managed Services segment of the business for the first time. After expanding into the Netherlands, Bechtle is looking to strengthen its position in the UK market with an expanded portfolio.
The purchase price and conditions have not been disclosed.
Mr Thorpe said: “Having co-founded the company, it was very important to me to know the company will be in good hands down the road, both for our colleagues and our customers. Together with Bechtle, we are well poised to keep growing while ensuring consistent, long-term support for our customers during their digital transformation.”
Bechtle has been in the UK market for more than 20 years, providing companies and public sector customers with a portfolio of hardware, software, solutions and services. Bechtle currently employs around 120 staff in the UK, generating revenues well above €110 million. The current financial year has also seen Bechtle direct UK enjoy extraordinary growth
Mr Napp said: “I have known ACS for many years and have always enjoyed working with Jon Thorpe. ACS has a very experienced and highly capable team and will undoubtedly put us in a position to accelerate our growth and expand our offering for our customers.
“The cultural fit could not be better and we look forward to the opportunity to scale our mutual business together and become one of the top ten IT solutions providers in the UK.”
Konstantin Ebert, executive vice president for France, Benelux and UK, Bechtle AG, added:“We see excellent prospects on the horizon in the UK market with ACS. We already have a successful track record together and are very positive that, by joining forces, both companies can offer huge added value in terms of end-to-end customer support. The two teams complement each other perfectly.”
Founded in 1983, Bechtle is now one of Europe’s leading IT providers with a presence in 14 countries. It has 13,500 employees working across Europe and the Bechtle portfolio focuses on modern workplace technologies, data centre and cyber security solutions and managed services, complimenting the core activities of ACS.