IMI Plc has acquired Brook Street Computers Plc, founded by Ian Skinner in 1985 and best known for its Unix and personal computer-based Unity software. IMI, the former Imperial Metal Industries, has a turnover of around UKP1,000m and its IBM software services arm, IMI Computing Ltd, reported sales of UKP18m last year. David Williamson, managing director of IMI Computing, has previously indicated that he regards the RS/6000 as IBM’s endorsement of Unix, and he also acknowledged that IMI would follow that lead by acquiring Unix skills (CI No 1,415). Jeremy Ward, IMI’s marketing director, says that while he has no illusions about the role of Unix in the corporate market, the acquisition enables IMI to gain expertise which is necessary as Unix and Systems Application Architecture move closer together. Neither company would reveal the cost of the deal, but Brook Street Computers, which is headquartered in Guildford, Surrey, has net assets valued at UKP800,000. The two firms will maintain their separate identities, and Ian Skinner is to continue to head Brook Street for at least another two years.
