AVM buys Matrix Displays

Paul Milligan, 09 July 2008

Audio Visual Machines (AVM) has bought reseller and systems integrator Matrix Display Systems. The cash deal, for an undisclosed sum, makes the group potentially the largest pro a-v reseller/systems integrator in the UK. The combined group will have a turnover of £45m and 250 employees. Matrix's turnover last year was £23m.

‘Matrix provides us with a wealth of experience and a sizeable customer base,' said AVM ceo Edward Cook. ‘By combining this with AVM's client portfolio, we have created the UK's largest provider of a-v and videoconferencing services.

‘In less than ten years, we have gone from flipcharts and overhead projectors to large-scale, fully interactive plasma screens with professional acoustic design. The advent of high speed broadband connectivity has also made videoconferencing a realistic option whereas before it was cost-prohibitive and cumbersome. As a key green technology, we expect to see rapid growth in this market over the next few years.'

‘As both private and public sector organisations demand more sophisticated a-v and video conferencing solutions, we are seeing increasing consolidation within the UK industry. ‘ added AVM chairman Sandy Macpherson.

AVM, which is backed by Octopus Private Equity and HSBC, has been actively buying up other a-v operations for the past three years. Its acquisitions have include business from ITM Visua, DDi, Metro Broadcast and AVE. It has also set up a series of global alliance deals with integrators in order to serve a world-wide client base.