Bolton-based Telesis acquires Manchester telecoms company

Bolton-based business communications company Telesis has acquired Manchester’s Digital Telecom Airtime.

Supported with funding from the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), the transaction turned Telesis into a £9m-turnover firm with 52 employees.

The deal represents the company’s third acquisition in two years. Telesis director Christian Bleakley confirmed plans to acquire another another two businesses this year.

Christian said: “Digital Telecom Airtime is an excellent addition to the Telesis group and forms a key part of our future growth plans.

“The business is perfectly located and has a great team that use advanced technology that will complement our existing services and have real synergies with Telesis.”

He continued: “We will retain the Digital Telecom Airtime brand and their staff working at the Radcliffe site who will now also become part of the Telesis group. We are really looking forward to working with the team at Digital Telecom Airtime and their customers.”

Digital Telecom Airtime was founded in 2005 and today focuses on cloud telephony. It is based in Radcliffe.

Christine Thorpe, former managing director of Digital Telecom Airtime, commented: “I am delighted with the acquisition by Telesis and their commitment to ensure the continuity of staff relationships and further advanced support for our clients. I am also pleased to confirm that I will continue to be involved in the group to ensure a smooth transition for both staff and customers.”

The regional head of the North and Scotland for RBS’ corporate transactions team, John Copping, said: “Telesis has a very strong strategy in place to develop the business and I am delighted to assist them with their continued growth with the acquisition of Digital Telecom Airtime.

“Telesis is well on track to meet their growth target of achieving £10m turnover and already looking for future acquisition targets this year.”

Telesis supplies businesses throughout the North West with communication packages covering phone systems, calls and lines, mobile services, broadband, call recording, CCTV and other comms requirements.

David Thomas and Becky Garratt of accountants Spencer Gardner Dickins advised Telesis on tax structuring, with legal advice provided by Michael Welsh from Solutions Legal. Rob Fawke from law firm gunnercooke acted for RBS.