NORTH
North designs, delivers, manages and maintains multi site, multi service infrastructures across the UK, connecting people, places and technology. Aliter’s initial investment in January 2018 was followed by four acquisitions, growing the workforce to 265, with revenues of £45m. Aliter agreed the sale of North to Livingbridge in July 2021.
Background
We made our first acquisition in North in January 2018 with the goal of building an end-to-end advanced technology solutions group.
North provides intelligent integrated technology solutions that transform the way people, organisations and places work. Created by bringing together five complementary businesses, Boston Networks, PEL Services, 2020 Vision Systems, Pinacl Solutions and Pinacl Global Delivery Alliance, North became a leading force in the smart integrated technologies market.
How we helped
In January 2018, Aliter backed Boston Networks, an integrated technologies specialist that works across IT network infrastructure, with a focus on network infrastructure, smart building and life safety systems.
As we took the business on a journey, we funded the acquisition of PEL Services in April 2018, and in December 2018, the group acquired 2020 Vision Systems.
Aliter invested further funds in March 2019 to bring together Pinacl Solutions and Pinacl GDA’s specialisation in design and management of industry-leading ICT infrastructures encompassing IoT, smart buildings and cities and major fibre optic infrastructures with the group to create a UK-wide organisation.
We worked with management to bring the group together into a single technologies platform becoming a leading force in the smart integrated technologies market.
The group strategy evolved and aimed to offer a wide range of solutions across a broader geographic area, transforming the way people, organisations and places work.
Strategy
Drawing on Aliter’s deep industrial experience and established network, the group’s strategy was to grow organically and through acquisitions, to establish a leading national operator with a diversified blue chip customer base.
Realised investment
Aliter realised its investment in North when the sale of the business to Livingbridge was agreed in July 2021.
Key facts
Sub sector:
Internet of Things (IoT), Networking & Connectivity, Safety & Security
Date of initial investment:
January 2018
Revenues:
£45 million
Number of employees:
265
HQ:
St. Asaph’s, Wales
Acquisitions:
Boston Networks (2018)
PEL (2018)
2020 Vision (2018)
Pinacl (2019)
Website:
North
Growth objective:
to build a successful national business by helping our customers with the design, delivery, management and maintenance of multi-site, multi-service infrastructures to drive their businesses and connect their people, places and technology.
Choosing Aliter as our investment partner was an easy decision. I have been aware of the Aliter team and their track record for a number of years, so having the opportunity to work closely with them on the next stage of Boston Networks’ development is exciting. It was clear from the start that their network and experience will add significant value to the business, supporting transformational growth and the development of additional solutions for our customers. The fact that Aliter truly understands our market and how our business operates will be of major importance going forward.”
Scott McEwan, CEO, Boston Networks