The sale was prompted by the retirement of MTelecom’s managing director, Stephen Black, who founded the business as Border Communications in 1987. Offering independent consultancy, installation and support services, the business serves a client base stretching across the North East and works in leading two-way radio manufacturers, including Motorola Solutions, Hytera, Icom, Kenwood, and Tait.
According to Pennine, some 14 companies expressed an interest in acquiring MTelecom’s two-way radio business, but ““Pennine were my first choice,” said Black. “MTelecom has a very loyal customer base with one client having been with us since 1988. You don’t throw away that kind of loyalty so how our customers would be cared for in future was key for me.
“Pennine can offer them not only the necessary specialist two-way radio expertise and commitment to customer service, but additional specialisms which could deliver additional value.”
The MTelecom business will be integrated into Pennine’s dedicated Pennine Radio division which sits alongside its unified communications, mobile, IT services and cloud operations. In December 2016 Pennine was acquired by Salford-headquartered Nycomm, joining the group’s solution division alongside the Rocom and Videonations brands.
Pennine’s managing director Andrew Roberts welcomed the deal, saying: “Over many years MTelecom has earned a justified reputation for both technical and service excellence. We are proud to have been trusted by Stephen to serve and build upon the client base he has so carefully nurtured. We also wish him all the best for his well-earned retirement.”
