Sharp Electronics Europe today announces that is has acquired Midshire Business Systems Limited and Midshire Business Systems (Northern) Ltd, together known as Midshire®. The Birmingham, Stockport, and Cardiff based office technology reseller will be operated as part of SBSUK.
This strategic acquisition gives SBSUK national sales coverage, gives a presence in Wales, and strengthens its ability to sell its growing portfolio of Business Solutions to the commercial and public sector.
Sharp’s Business Solutions range includes Document Solutions (multifunction printers, print management, and document management software), Visual Solutions (interactive and professional displays), and IT Services. Midshire is one of the largest independent office technology resellers in the UK with extensive Document Solutions expertise and is also a leading provider of IT Services, Visual Solutions, and Hosted Desktops.
Midshire will continue to operate as an independent business under its own brand name, and existing management and reporting structures will remain in place.
Phil Powell, Managing Director, Midshire Business Systems Ltd, said: “We are keen to expand what we do as a business and this deal provides us with the support of an international manufacturer and with it the long-term investment and expertise to benefit our clients.”
Stuart Sykes, Managing Director of SBSUK, said: “This acquisition is a key strategic milestone for SBSUK. Midshire has a very similar ethos to ourselves and focuses on market-leading service and forward thinking product offerings, making this a natural partnership.”
“This is a concrete statement of SBSUK’s ongoing commitment and ambitious plans for growth, as are the various initiatives and investments we are making with dealers through our indirect operation. If we are to reach our growth objectives, we need both direct and indirect channels to grow significantly. Sharp remains wholly focused on making this happen in both channels as well as with our visual solutions and EPOS businesses.”
