PSC purchase takes the world by storm

Watford-based Professional Support Centre (PSC) has been bought by UCA&L, which is part of the Japanese Softbank Corporation.

Financial details of the deal were not revealed, but the new company will be called Softbank PSC and is set to capitalise on PSC's position as Europe's largest independent support provider.

PSC was founded in 1982 by Richard Coppel, who remains as joint chief executive officer.

The acquisition is part of Softbank's plan to set up world-wide support networks. Within two or three months, a network will be in place, which means that a user in any country can dial a single number at any time to receive online help.

The takeover will not result in the loss of any jobs at PSC, and reaction from the company's staff and clients has been favourable so far. 'Our staff can see a multitude of opportunities opening up and are very pleased with this improved career ladder,' said Coppel. 'We have had a number of calls from existing customers who want us to takeover their support functions on a global basis.'

Softbank also owns Ziff Davis Publishing and Comdex as well as UCA&L, which is the largest provider of outsourced sales and support services in the US. PSC boasts AST, Claris, Siemens Nixdorf and Microsoft among its client list.