Ekco acquires Adapt IT to expand Microsoft capabilities

This marks the MSP’s sixth acquisition in two years

Ekco has acquired Cork-based MSP Adapt IT, adding 37 people to its headcount as well as 300 SME customers across manufacturing, hospitality, retail, legal, and finance.

The acquisition is aimed at boosting Ekco’s Microsoft modern workplace capabilities.

This represents the sixth buyout made by the company in the last two years, and the seventh ever in Ireland.

It also brings the total amount invested by Ekco across its last six deals to €57m (£49.13m).

Adapt IT’s Cork operations expand the organisation’s reach in Ireland, adding to Ekco’s footprint in the city, as well as in Dublin, Laois, and Waterford.

The firm also has activities in the UK, Netherlands, South Africa, and Malaysia, and a global headcount of 1,000.

Adapt IT’s customers will now reportedly benefit from improved cybersecurity and automation services, enterprise-grade cloud services, cybersecurity operations including SIEM, and an on-island SOC, as well as access to Ekco’s European network.

“By bringing our two companies together, we will enhance our regional footprint in a location where we see vast opportunities for our expansion, while also combining our knowledge and services to pioneer the demands of the modern enterprise,” said Cian Prendergast, CEO of Ekco MSP Ireland.

“It strengthens our position as the go-to IT partner for businesses who want the reliability of a national partner with the responsiveness of a local team.”

John Levis, MD at Adapt IT, added: “[Being acquired by Ekco] will enable us to continue to deliver top-tier services to businesses, backed up by the skills and resources of a larger group.

“We are seeing that even smaller businesses are seeking enterprise-grade IT and cybersecurity solutions, and Ekco’s expertise will help us to meet this growing demand as the volume and complexity of cyber threats continues to rise.”

This announcement comes hot on the heels of the purchase of Manchester-based cybersecurity consultancy Predatech.

Besides its workforce, the company has also made changes to its leadership team recently, with the appointment of Ben Savage as UK CEO in May.

Savage recently told CRN that mergers and acquisitions were intrinsic to the MSP’s strategy.