Kinly grabs AVMI to form 'top three' global video collaboration powerhouse

Union between Dutch and UK outfits 'always looked like an excellent' idea, according to AVMI CEO Edward Cook

The UK's largest audio visual integrator, AVMI, has been snapped up by Dutch rival Kinly, creating a global powerhouse with 1,200 staff and 20 offices in Europe, the US and Asia-Pac.

Formed in 2017 when private equity house Avedon acquired Viju and VisionsConnected, video collaboration specialist Kinly has 650 staff and operates in the Netherlands, Norway, UK, USA and Singapore.

Its acquisition of Sunbury-on-Thames-based AVMI - known for delivering complex AV projects - adds another 600 staff to its headcount and additional offices in the UK, Ireland, US, Hong Kong and India.

The deal "firmly establishes" Kinly as a global top three provider of video collaboration services, as well as cementing its top-dog status in Europe, the firm said.

Kinly CEO Robbert Bakker hailed the union as a "powerful combination".

"AVMI brings an enviable track record in delivering complex enterprise projects globally and providing operational and service excellence. Kinly offers best in class video collaboration solutions and unparalleled product expertise in remote management, video cloud solutions and adoption services," he said.

AVMI CEO Edward Cook (pictured, above, right, with Bakker) said the deal "always looked like an excellent idea".

"Both companies are market leaders in their own countries and I am confident that, together, we can truly compete on the global stage. Our industry has matured to the extent that our clients now demand global coverage and a breadth of skill sets that only a handful of companies can provide," he added.

Kinly - which recently won a grondbreaking deal to supply video technology to 108 UK courts - ranks tenth in the audiovisual section of CRN's Meet the Specialist report, out this week, with UK revenues of £20.8m. AVMI ranked second based on its VAR 350 revenue figure of £64.2m but saw revenues power up to £81.2m in its latest year, making it the UK's largest pure-play AV integrator.