Kewill Systems Plc is to buy Ultimate Corp distributor Trifid Software Ltd from American Can UK Ltd for a total of UKP1.25m. Trifid’s future has been in doubt since Triangle Industries Inc bought American Can late last year, but a management buyout attempt (CI No 646) collapsed during the summer when the team was unable to raise the finance. Congleton, Cheshire-based Trifid started in 1983. In the nine months to August 28 this year, it lost UKP618,000 pre-tax on turnover of UKP2.36. In the year to November 28 1986, it lost UKP1m on sales of a similar amount. USM-quoted Kewill hopes Trifid’s 28-module manufacturing Integrated Business System package, which runs under Ultimate’s Pick implementation on IBM 370-type mainframes, will enable it to penetrate sites with 200 or more employees. Kewill with its Micross manufacturing package has hitherto been confined to smaller installat ions. The UKP1.25m price consists of shares worth UKP402,600, UKP97,400 in cash, and the repayment of Trifid’s UKP750,000 debts to its former owner.
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