Advantia member, Clares Business Solutions, has acquired the commercial arm of fellow Advantia member, Clarkes Office Supplies, following a strategic decision to focus on its retail stores.
Clares Business Solutions and Clarkes Office Supplies are long-standing members of Advantia, and Clares MD, Steve Clare is also a member of the Advantia Board. Having worked together closely in the past Clarkes approached Clares allowing them an opportunity to buy their commercial business.
Steve Clare, Advantia Board Member and MD, Clares Business Solutions Ltd said, "we have a strategy in place to expand by acquisition throughout the Midlands and South of England. The first place we look for potential acquisitions is inside the Advantia Group because when you acquire another Advantia member the process is much simpler for both of us. The upheaval for customers is minimal, it is pretty much business as usual for them. They keep the same products, prices and catalogue; even their account numbers. We simply transfer all the customer details and history over to our system. Customers expect deliveries to be made by Truline and this continues to happen on the same van with the same driver. This simplicity for customers means that we don't tend to lose customers."
Advantia is looking to benefit the whole membership by ensuring that turnover from the acquisition stays in the Group with mergers and acquisitions making the Group stronger.
Clares Business Supplies based in Portsmouth is currently on the acquisition trail and would be happy to talk to any dealers that may be interested in selling their business.
ADVANTIA BUSINESS SOLUTIONS LTD
64 Albion Court
Attleborough Road
Coventry
CV11 4JJ
UNITED KINGDOM
02476 373738