DHL comprises two trading companies: B2 Business Systems Ltd (“B2”), the North West’s premier Xerox concessionaire operating out of Deeside, and Business Systems (North Wales) Ltd trading as “Docucentric”, leading Toshiba and Canon business solutions partners based at St Asaph.
The deal, facilitated by Technology sector merger and acquisitions specialists, Prism Corporate Broking, allows for founder and majority owner Paul Rutt to exit and pursue other interests after 25 years in the business. Peter Ryan, DHL’s Managing Director will retain his position and play a key role in driving future growth in the region for Arena.
“I am 100% confident in passing on my legacy to Arena.” asserts Paul Rutt, adding “They will prove worthy successors to both our clients and staff.”
“This is the latest chapter in Arena’s rich, 25 year history of business growth founded on guiding principles of excellence in customer service, strong customer partnerships, technological expertise and a positive working culture,” explains Adrian Fitzpatrick, Arena’s Managing Director, “We are delighted that the Arena family has been extended to include 36 more colleagues and over new 800 customers.”
“With the same forward thinking outlook as our company, we believe that this new partnership provides synergy between the two brands together with opportunities for substantial growth well into the future,” comments Peter Ryan, MD of DHL. “Arena Group will work with DHL to support a period of expansion going forward, with a view to increasing the DHL team by a further 10 members.”
Robert Fiske, Director at Prism Corporate Broking adds, “We are delighted to unite businesses with such aligned visions. Both utilise their years of experience to focus on excellence in customer relationships through exceptional technical capabilities and services levels.”
“We are delighted with the outcome” comments Paul Rutt, adding “One can never appreciate at the outset quite how much work goes into a sale process – and the challenges thrown up along the way. We sincerely thank Prism for their sage guidance and tenacity throughout.”
Both B2 and Arena were founded in 1991. B2 started with just two employees and grew substantially by expanding its range of products and services, resulting in the current group structure under DHL. Arena’s acquisition of DHL is the ninth it has undertaken as part of the business’s strategy alongside organic growth.