Managed print firm DMC acquires Ricoh reseller Artel

Deal marks seventh acquisition for managed print specialist

Managed print specialist DMC has acquired Ricoh reseller Artel to boost its coverage in the Thames Valley area.

Slough-based Artel was founded in 1985 and bills itself as a Ricoh dealer supplying document handling solutions and managed print software.

The firm claims to serve more than 500 customers mostly based in the Thames Valley region and across sectors including healthcare, education and legal.

DMC claims the acquisition will bolster its southern region and complement previous acquisitions made in early 2020 of Condor Office Solutions and Systems Technology.

In a statement, DMC boss Simon Davey said that DMC is pressing ahead with its expansion strategy despite facing a difficult market last year.

"Despite the challenging conditions of 2020 we continue to deliver on our strategy to build the leading UK-wide workplace technology business built upon long term partnership with over 11,000 customers. Artel adds further capability and scale and is an excellent addition to the group," he said.

Backed by Horizon Capital since 2018, DMC made four acquisitions in 2020 - the latest being for managed print provider Leemic in March which added scale to its northern region.

At the time DMC said that the acquisition would bring its annual group revenues to £70m.

Partner at Horizon Capital, Like Kingston, added: "This is the seventh acquisition DMC has completed since we invested in the Group in 2018 and it is now the leading independent operator in the workplace technology sector. We look forward to supporting Simon and the team as they continue to acquire within this fragmented landscape."