Acraman eyes single brand identity

Private equity-backed firm considers rebranding after completing fifth reseller buy

Adrian Coppin, Ipitomi

Private equity-backed Acraman is targeting more buyouts to strengthen its brand identity after sealing its fifth reseller acquisition.

Earlier this month, Acraman snapped up London-based hosted communications specialist Ipitomi. It joins previous acquisitions Pasporte, Newburn, Evolution Voice and Data and Telinet in a group which now has more than 200 employees and annual turnover of more than £50m.

Ipitomi chief executive Adrian Coppin told CRN that his company had been looking to acquire this year.

“We wanted to try to position ourselves to acquire cost-effective businesses and assets,” he said.

“When we put our information out there, we stumbled across Acraman and, instead of going it alone on the acquisition trail, becoming part of a group was very appealing.”

Coppin claimed he was looking forward to forging ties with the other firms that are part of the group. “I think there will be fantastic cross-fertilisation of customers,” he added.

Pasporte chief executive Gary Woodward welcomed the latest addition to the group.

“Ipitomi’s managed voice skills are another string to our bow,” he said.

Woodward said the group would target one more acquisition in 2009 and that two more could see the group achieve its target of £100m turnover.

He also revealed discussions would be taking place to establish a single brand identity for the group.

“I think it is important that we get a single brand that represents what we are trying to achieve,” he said.

Coppin said: “I think introducing some brand identity would be a very good thing to do. Ipitomi has fantastic brand equity.”