Partner Article

Daisy swoops for second North East firm

THE national firm which acquired North East telecoms giant BNS earlier this year has snapped up Northumberland-based distributor Fone Logistics for £3.6m.

Daisy said it had identified certain areas of the business which would be discontinued or hived out at completion.

It also said the addition of 600 dealers through Fone Logistics would bring more business opportunities to the group.

Daisy chief Matthew Riley said: “We are delighted to be able to announce this acquisition, which increases our competitive position in the mobile section of the unified communications market.

“This acquisition is also consistent with the group’s stated ambition to further consolidate the fragmented communications market and enhances our product offering to the UK SME market. We will be continuing to pursue this strategy.”

Before completion of the sale, a part of Fone Logistics business which relates to the network “3” was transferred to Activ Business Communications Limited, a company owned by the former owners of Fone Logistics, who will retain and grow the business going forward. Activ will now distribute “3” products and services nationwide to provide solutions for business.

North East commercial law firm Muckle, which has a long standing relationship with Ian Gillespie, majority shareholder of Fone Logistics, advised on the deal.

The company also advised the Gillespie family on its Nat Comm Ltd telecommunications business, which was sold in the 1990s.

Fone Logistics, which was set up in 1996, supplies mobile handsets and airtime to more than 600 dealers, including 02, Vodafone and Orange, and predominantly sells to small to medium sized businesses, receiving commission from the mobile networks for connecting customers.

Ian Gillespie said: “Post acquisition of Fone Logistics Ltd, I plan to spend more time with my family, but will also be working on my new business interest going forward.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .