TTG sets out acquisition trail
Derby communications business Team Telecom Group (TTG) has bought IT consultancy C&C Technology – its first acquisition since a £32.8m management buyout backed by Gresham Private Equity and HSBC in May 2010. Mike Norfield, chief executive of TTG, confirmed to Insider that the company had "two or three" more targets in the pipeline.
Norfield said the acquisition would strengthen TTG’s technology consultancy services arm, and add to its aviation portfolio, which already includes mobile radio provider AirRadio.
Norfield revealed to Insider that C&C had been on his radar for some time. "We’d looked at the company before we secured the investment last year, but we didn’t feel the time was right," he said.
"However, since we got the backing from Gresham and HSBC we’ve had a good year financially and we’re looking to aggressively grow through acquisitions. AirRadio has a reputation for delivering world class mobile radio solutions to the aviation industry, and it makes sense for us to build on this success.
"C&C is a highly respected consultancy with a strong heritage in the sector and offers a good fit with AirRadio. For our customers it means we can provide a more comprehensive range of cutting-edge IT, communications and related services."
Norfield says that TTG’s priority is now to grow the technology consultancy side of its business– an area he said the company was lacking in before.
He added: "This is just the first stage in strengthening the consultancy services side of our business. C&C have an excellent reputation in the industry, and our aim is to acquire similar businesses to expand our services to customers."
Based in Basingstoke, C&C provides services to the aviation sector. Clients include BAA, Gatwick Airport and baggage handling specialists Vanderlande.
The acquisition will see C&C Technology’s existing team remain in place, with managing director Jason Colombo and sales and marketing director John Foster joining the board of the new technology and consultancy services group.
Brian Nicholson, managing director of TTG's AirRadio division, said: "The acquisition of C&C Technology brings a greater strength and depth of services that we can offer to our combined client base. We will be working closely with the C&C team over the coming months, with our clients benefiting from the commitment to quality and service that they have come to expect from TTG."
TTG also includes Team Simoco in the UK and ComGroup in Australia, and Indigo Telecom Group.
