Education reseller RM has continued to expand beyond its roots in IT with the purchase of SpaceKraft, a supplier of specialist educational needs (SEN) resources.

RM will pay up to £3.95m in cash and shares for SpaceKraft, which it will run as a separate unit.

RM said the firm, which hit revenues of £4.85m for the year to June 2007, will add extra clout to its educational resources business and gel with Special Direct, its existing SEN unit.

It also said the acquisition would fit well with its Building Schools for the Future (BSF) business, as sensory environments are often included in specifications for new schools.

Tim Pearson, chief executive at RM, said: “We've already established a position in the growing SEN market through our Special Direct business; SpaceKraft brings scale, unique products and a well-regarded brand, as well as further specialist knowledge in this area.

“Education Resources is one of RM's chosen focus areas and has grown rapidly since our acquisition of TTS Group in 2004.

“We're deliberately focusing on areas where specialist education or technical knowledge will allow us to build a profitable business with loyal customers. The recent acquisition of Dacta is an example of this, and so is our expansion in the SEN market.”

Bruce Todhunter, managing director of SpaceKraft, said: “SpaceKraft has reached the stage where it needs to be part of bigger group if it is to achieve its growth potential.

“RM shares our education focus and offers operational skills in the areas of distribution and online selling. We look forward to further success as part of the RM Group.”

Further reading:
Becta decision sends resellers back to school