Independent franking machine supply, installation and servicing company, The Mailing Room (TMR), of Bury, Greater Manchester, has acquired a Westcountry counterpart, Mailing Systems Limited (MSL) of Weston-super-Mare, adding around 20 per cent to its existing customer base.
The purchase forms part of TMR’s strategic plan to double the size of the business within five years. MSL’s owners, Martin and Wendy Randell, are selling up and taking early retirement and felt that the Bury company dovetails neatly with their business philosophy, with a customer-focused approach and comprehensive provision of post room equipment and supplies.
Established in 1998, TMR currently employs around 60 experienced personnel and serves the public sector, providing ‘best value’ mailroom equipment to government, healthcare and educational organisations. It also has now diversified into the private and charity sectors, dealing with some 7,000 customers, mailing between 5 and 5,000 letters and packages a day.
Ian Davidson, Group Managing Director at The Mailing Room Ltd said, “we look forward to celebrating our forthcoming twentieth anniversary with a bigger, better company and a broader customer base, which equips us for the challenges ahead. This acquisition broadens our geographical reach in the South West and Wales, positioning us for further regional growth through a ready-made support infrastructure. We shall be offering MSL accounts the same level of mailroom management consultancy and technical support our customers expect, together with improved maintenance packages and offers on print ink cartridges and other consumables.”
Like MSL, TMR is an authorised Royal Mail provider of mailroom equipment inspection, repair and maintenance, as required for an on-site franking licence, and TMR’s service delivery team will be joined by a senior MSL engineer to provide next-day local support. In addition to a full spectrum of digital franking machines, TMR supplies folder inserters for bulk mailings, automated letter openers and document shredders, and mail scanners to safeguard against postal terrorism.
The Mailing Room’s acquisition was supported by the Royal Bank of Scotland’s Corporate Transactions team, which provided knowledgeable financial support from the bank’s Manchester office, building on a long-standing association. TMR was advised on the transaction by DTE Corporate Finance, also of Manchester, with specialist input from director, Liam Glennon.
Stuart Watson, Director, Royal Bank of Scotland Corporate Transactions added, “the acquisition of Mailing Systems Limited is a great move for The Mailing Room. The two businesses are closely aligned and their integration will result in a very strong company. I am very pleased that we have been able to back this deal and support The Mailing Room in achieving its growth objectives.”
