Calyx plays safe with consolidation

After rebranding nine of its companies under the Calyx name, the integrator has sounded a note of caution about the impact of the credit crunch as it targets more acquisitions.

Calyx is remaining focused on Europe

Calyx chief executive Maurice Healy told CRN: “Having one brand makes sense as customers realise they are dealing with one company. From a staff perspective, it is about a sense of belonging.”

Healy indicated his company would continue to focus on managed services and aims to make further acquisitions in the UK, Ireland and selected European markets as part of plans to more than triple Calyx’s annual turnover to £400m.

“Realistically, you will not get that growth organically. Acquiring one or two firms, or several smaller ones, could get us to that [level of growth]. If we doubled in size with one acquisition, we would batten down the hatches after that,” said Healy.

Healy revealed Calyx had talked to US companies, but remained focused on Europe. He also indicated that current economic conditions necessitated a prudent approach. “We will be more careful and take a long look at acquisitions. We will be looking at lower multiples than we have historically,” he said.

Vendor Extreme Networks has a partnership with Matrix Communications, which will now trade under the Calyx name. Extreme’s UK and Ireland regional director Paul Phillips indicated Calyx’s relationship with Avaya could benefit his company.

“There have been synergies with what we are doing and there are opportunities there,” he said.