AVM claims UK top spot

AVM claims acquisition of Matrix makes it the country's largest AV integrator, with revenues of £45m

Audio Visual Machines (AVM) claims its acquisition of rival Matrix Display Systems has transformed it into the UK’s largest AV integrator.

The all-cash deal doubles AVM’s size, taking its revenues to £45m and its headcount to 250.

The AV and video conferencing specialist now boasts offices in London, Bristol, Leeds, Birmingham, Scotland and the south-east and has over 700 clients worldwide, including BP, BT, eBay and Virgin.

Matrix, which focuses on the education sector, is Octopus Private Equity and HSBC-backed AVM’s sixth acquisition in the last three years. The reseller boasts a turnover of £23m and is also a supplier into the corporate and public sector, including the Ministry of Defence.

Edward Cook, chief executive of AVM, said: “We have created the UK’s largest provider of AV and video conferencing services. This enables us not only to improve and broaden the services we offer our customers, but to take a leadership position in one of the UK’s most exciting and dynamic industries.”

Sandy MacPherson, chairman of AVM, said, “This latest deal firmly establishes us as the dominant player in the UK’s fast growing audio visual systems integrator market.
“As both private and public sector organisations demand more sophisticated AV and video conferencing solutions, we are seeing increasing consolidation within the UK industry – this development is fully in line with our strategy to continue to expand via acquisition.”