TNS boss still looking to buy
Managing director could be about to acquire voice distributor
Shropshire-based reseller TNS’s managing director Mike Harris could be nearing his planned acquisition of a voice distributor.
CRN revealed Harris’s plan to acquire a distributor last year (CRN, 14 November), using funds from BT’s acquisition of TNS for an undisclosed sum (CRN, 7 November).
Mike Harris exclusively told CRN at the time: “I’m actively looking to acquire a specialist trade distributor that can add value. I’m after a voice orientated low-end distributor with a turnover of £7m to £15m.”
CRN understands that one possible target could be voice distributor Crane Telecommunications, which currently works with BT, Avaya, Mitel and Nortel.
Scott Dobson, managing director of distributor Vcomm, said: “I know Harris was looking to acquire a voice distributor, and buying Crane would make sense.”
Jess Thompson-Hughes, managing director of distributor React Technologies, said: “It [voice] will be a very competitive market space for Harris to get into.”
Thompson-Hughes said Harris’s options when buying a voice distributor are limited, because there are very few voice players available for acquisition at the moment.
Harris and Crane both denied the speculation.