Axial seeks acquisition prospects

Security VAR looks to splash savings on buyout

VAR Axial Systems is actively hunting acquisition targets in the security and performance management space.

The Juniper and McAfee partner claims it now has the financial muscle for a small acquisition thanks to its cash reserves.

However, it is also considering larger targets that would require additional funding from private equity backers NVM, or from a bank.

Director Paul Spencer told ChannelWeb: "We now have a management team capable of negotiating and transacting an acquisition. But we are also financially stronger, so we can now do an acquisition with less borrowing.

"Now is a good time to look as not everyone is doing well and there may be some good buys out there," he added.

Spencer said the firm is looking for acquisition targets near either of its two offices in Maidenhead and Runcorn, or in new areas including Scotland.

"It would have to be a company that is smaller than Axial, but one that would gain from our strong footing," he said. "We are looking for compatibility between product sectors and vertical markets."

Axial has about 40 staff and is planning to expand its salesforce "substantially" this year, said Spencer.