Apogee makes first acquisition under HP

Managed print service provider makes first acquisition since being bought by HP in 2018

Apogee has snapped up Direct-Tec Group in a move it claims will strengthen its position as the leading multi-brand provider of managed print services in the UK.

Established in 2004, Direct-Tec is a Kent-based provider of print, document and IT solutions for businesses and public sector organisations.

The group has offices throughout the UK including Southampton, London, Tonbridge and Salisbury, and focuses on the education, healthcare, legal, charity and commercial verticals.

The acquisition is the first by Apogee since it was acquired by HP in 2018.

"This acquisition for Apogee helps strengthen our position as the leading multi-brand provider of managed workplace services in the UK as we continue to drive growth in the European market," said Apogee CEO Aurelio Maruggi.

"Apogee is dedicated to providing its clients with the right solutions to their workforce, at home, in the office and on the go."

He added: "Direct-Tec's reputation will enhance Apogee's coverage and capacity to support its clients throughout the UK. This acquisition forms part of our ongoing growth strategy as we aim to create the perfect combination of secure and flexible solutions for our clients' hybrid workforce."

In a Q&A with CRN UK in December, Apogee COO Mark Smyth said the Covid-19 lockdown negatively impacted some sectors, especially hospitality, legal and finance.

"We're really fortunate to have a very large part of the NHS and healthcare, and those parts of our business remained quite strong. In some cases parts of the NHS were way over their normal month by month print volumes," Smyth said.

The print services provider was sold to printing giant HP in a deal worth £380m (€445.02m) in 2018.