Member Article

Tyneside telecoms investors snap up North Shields’ AND Group

North Tyneside-headquartered investors Broadband Satellite Services have finalised their acquisition of marine satellite equipment suppliers AND Group.

It has taken Cobalt Business Park-based Broadband Satellite Services (BSS) nearly two years to complete the complex deal with the help of BHP Law.

AND Group supply satellite communications equipment to the marine and offshore sectors, and are now part of BSS’ $100 million-a-year venture.

Newcastle-born CEO Ian Robinson, said the deal made BSS a “major player” in the communications services sector.

David Wilson, of BHP Law said: “This was a fascinating transaction involving the UK and a number or overseas jurisdictions, requiring nearly two years to effect the acquisitions and then complete the refinancing of the business. We are delighted to have been able to assist BSS in achieving this.”

Mr Robinson said the market was growing for the business with a host of opportunities arising in countries such as Russia and India.

He added: “It is a fascinating area and we have 30 specialists developing software to maximise lower bandwidth offered by satellite,” he said.

“People in these areas want to do exactly what the rest of the world is able to do with cable and mobile. They want to talk to each and surf the net and we are providing the interface they need to do just that.

“This acquisition has allowed for a great deal of cross-fertilisation of expertise between the companies which allows us to exploit new markets and grow organically with our current client base.”

BSS employ 155 staff worldwide across offices in Brazil, Greece, Singapore, Gibraltar, South Africa, USA, Australia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Japan and the United Arab Emirates.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .