Member Article

Wakefield’s Arena Group acquires North Wales printing business

Wakefield-based office equipment supplier Arena Group has acquired Docucentric Holdings Ltd (DHL), a printing and photocopying firm based in North Wales.

Extending its print services further across North Wales and North West England, Arena expects the acquisition to boost its turnover from £19m to over £24.5m.

DHL, which is made up of two trading companies; B2 Business Systems Ltd (B2), a Xerox concessionaire operating out of Deeside, and Business Systems (North Wales) Ltd trading as Docucentric reselling Toshiba and Canon products.

As part of the deal, B2’s Peter Ryan will retain the position of managing director and play a key role in driving future growth in that region.

Adrian Fitzpatrick, Arena’s managing director, said: “This is the latest chapter in Arena’s rich, 25 year history of business growth founded on guiding principles of excellence in customer service, strong customer partnerships, technological expertise and a positive working culture.

“We are delighted that the Arena family has been extended to include 36 more colleagues and over new 800 customers.”

Peter Ryan, managing director of DHL, added: “With the same forward thinking outlook as our company, we believe that this new partnership provides synergy between the two brands together with opportunities of substantial growth well into the future.

“Arena Group will work with DHL to support a period of expansion going forward, with a view to increasing the DHL team by a further 10 members.”

A team from Yorkshire law firm Gordons’ corporate department led by partner, Jonathan Asquez, assisted by corporate solicitor, Amanda Hughes, advised Arena Group on both this latest acquisition and the company’s purchase of Acorn Business Machines last year.

Gordons’ Amanda Hughes commented: “Arena Group’s management team have a clear plan to enable the business’s continued expansion.

“We are proud to have played our part in helping realise the plan so far with these two most recent acquisitions and look forward to seeing the next phase of the company’s growth.”