Econocom builds on UK presence by grabbing stake in LEGO Education partner JTRS

Belgian VAR has bought a trio of firms, including a 40 per cent stake in Cheshire-based LEGO Education, Apple and Google specialist JTRS

European VAR giant Econocom has announced that it has acquired three European firms, including UK Lego Education, Apple and Google partner JTRS.

The Belgium-headquartered firm has bought Ridderkerk-based audio-visual player BIS, Paris consulting services outfit LP Digital Agency, and a 40 per cent stake in education sector supplier JTRS, located in Cheshire in the UK.

BIS posted €50m in revenues in 2016, employing 220 people across the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, and the UK. The firm holds top badges with Polycom and AMX and is also partnered with Microsoft and Cisco.

Econocom claims the buyout will enable it to strengthen its position in the multimedia market segment. The Brussels-based IT services house claims that - with the addition of BIS - it is able to offer all three of its business lines - services, products and solutions, and technology management and financing - across its five "priority countries", being Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy and France.

"We are happy to welcome BIS within Econocom and expect significant synergies between their know-how in the dynamic multimedia solutions segment in Benelux and our strong existing operations in the region," said Bruno Grossi, executive director of Econocom.

The VAR giant's 40 per cent stake in UK education supplier JTRS will meanwhile give a boost to its existing technology management and financing business in the UK according to Econocom. JTRS hit €11m in sales in 2016 and holds education partner badges with Apple and Google. JTRS carries out repairs on Apple equipment and offers technical support and managed services. It also helps schools with programming in its capacity as a LEGO Education partner.

Finally, Econocom's DevOps and open source web solutions subsidiary Alter Way has acquired 100 per cent of Paris-based consultancy LP Digital Agency, which it claims will boost Alter Way's annual revenues to €15m a year.

Econocom turned over €2.5bn in 2016 and employs more than 10,000 people across France, Benelux and southern Europe.