Telecom Confirms Purchase Of Computerland NZ

Thu, 2 Sep 2004

Telecom Confirms Purchase Of Computerland NZ

Telecom today confirmed the purchase of technology solutions provider Computerland NZ Ltd for $26 million.

Computerland NZ Ltd will continue to operate as a stand-alone business within Telecom for at least 12 months with Computerland CEO Chris Mackay reporting directly to Telecom Chief Information Officer Mark Ratcliffe.

Mr Ratcliffe said the acquisition of Computerland will broaden Telecom’s ICT capability and increase its range of services, while simultaneously extending and diversifying Telecom’s customer base within the ICT services market.

“Telecom has taken up a leadership role in ICT services that will benefit Telecom, benefit our customers, and provide excellent new channels to market for those in the wider ICT services sector,” Mr Ratcliffe said.

“Computerland is a high profile market leader in infrastructure support services with a strong brand, a great reputation and a comprehensive market reach in all major locations throughout New Zealand.

“Telecom’s purchase of Computerland, coupled with our recent purchase of Gen-i is giving Telecom the room to grow in the ICT market, where the demand for services continues to be high.”

“The two acquisitions, together with Telecom’s own organic growth, will enable Telecom to provide the network based delivery of solutions widely in a market, which has traditionally relied solely on outsourcing services options,” Mr Ratcliffe said.

“For customers, this means that wherever you are in New Zealand and whatever your business technology issue is, we will have a solution for you.”

Telecom will continue to work in conjunction with its existing integration partners, Mr Ratcliffe added.

Computerland NZ Ltd has 360 staff across four locations in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch with a further 220 staff employed in branded Computerland franchise operations in nine provincial locations. Computerland NZ Ltd and its franchise partners provide total technology solutions from consultation, design and development through to implementation to corporate and medium enterprise businesses.

Computerland NZ Ltd earned revenues of around $100 million and EBITDA of approximately $3.6 million for the year ended December 2003.

Telecom Advanced Solutions is Telecom’s dedicated trans-Tasman information and communication technologies business. Its capability includes mobile and commerce applications, IP and Internet security, ICT infrastructure, hosting and storage solutions, contact centre solutions, and wireless, data and voice services. The recent Gen-i acquisition adds systems integration, managed solutions, product sales (as part of solutions) and activities in software development and IT training to the capability mix.

ENDS

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