Husky Computers Ltd is to become Peek Holdings Plc’s second major acquisition since Javelin Corporation Ltd reversed into it late last year. At the time of the reverse takeover, Javelin and now Peek chief executive Ken Maud stated that he was looking to develop Peek as a high technology holding company through an agressive acquisition policy. The agreed purchase of Husky from Addison Communications Plc for UKP3.8m, raised from a vendor placing, comes less than four months after Peek bought Sarasota Technology Plc for UKP26.8m. And, with Peek’s share price still racing up from the single figures of last September, Husky is unlikely to represent the summit of Maud’s ambitious plans. In the year to December 31 1986, the ruggedised handheld computer manufacturer made a pre-tax profit of UKP390,000 on sales of UKP4.6m. Back in February, Addison joint managing director Steve Smith said that Husky was looking at profits of between UKP500,000 and UKP750,000 on a turnover of UKP7m this year (CI No 630). At the time, Smith also said there is no reason for us to wish to sell it. But it is easy to see why Addison has changed its mind. Husky sat awkwardly enough in Aidcom International Plc and when Aidcom was acquired by design house Addison last September it looked even more out of place. Husky’s managing director Nigel Tompkins is delighted by the change of owner as the move brings Husky under the same umbrella as its sole US distributor Sarasota Technology, a subsidiary of Sarasota. Husky computers are primarily sold into niche markets with applications software designed at the company’s Coventry headquarters. Customers include the UK Ministry of Defence, GEC, British Aerospace and overseas defence forces.
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