Rapid quick on the draw over Rothwell acquisition

Acquisitive Mac reseller Rapid Group bought the ailing Rothwell Group last week, less than 48 hours after the Farnborough-based reseller went into administrative receivership on 19 May.

Rapid marketing director Steve Rush said the reseller had bought the Rothwell name plus the lease on its building and would continue to run its business. The purchase was part of Rapid's efforts to increase turnover from #24 million to #40 million next year.

Rush was unable to say what had caused Rothwell's demise. Its debts remain with chartered accountants Smith and Williamson, who refused to comment on the situation. Executives from Rapid moved in on 22 May and reception staff told callers that Rothwell directors Kevin Barrett and Peter Barralet were no longer working for the reseller.

Rush said Rothwell's strong maintenance arm was the attraction and its outsourcing abilities were sought after. The sales division was also a strength, while the training arm was likely to be absorbed.

Rothwell was founded in 1979. It entered the Mac market when it bought AppleCentre Cambridge in 1995, followed by additional purchases which included Glenlake Computers, which trades as MacLine, PC Line and WindowLine.

Computers Unlimited marketing director Rob Pickering said Rapid was building a strong base and 'fortunately for us we like the way it does business'.

Rothwell was unavailable for comment.