Runcorn, Cheshire-based Millgate Plc, which sells car alarms, has bought Stordata Solutions Ltd, an amalgamation of Telford, Shropshire-based companies Primary Distribution Ltd and start-up Patriot Computers, for ú5.7m, paid in 47.5m new shares. The company’s board said that it had, for some time sought to diversify the company’s activities and had been examining a number of acquisitions that would dramatically alter the group. It said its purchase of Stordata now means that its major focus will be in the computer industry, although the car alarm side will continue. The board of the enlarged company, which just voted to change its name to Stordata Solutions Plc, has been restructured and the company’s headquarters are in Telford. Shares of the new Stordata moved up to the Official List from the Unlisted Securities Market this week. Millgate as was raised ú1.5m with a two-for-three rights issue of 13.75m shares at 12p each in order to meet the expenses of the acquisition and to contribute additional working capital for the enlarged group. Primary was established in 1988 as a value-added distributor of data storage products. Patriot, a start-up, is a marketing business that sells personal computers either under the brand name of the retailer or dealer, or under the Patriot name. Its machines are assembled by Design to Distribution Ltd, an ICL Plc subsidiary. The company’s founder, Stephen Sowery, will become chief executive of Stordata. The new company will be positioned as a specialist value-added distributor, which aims to grow by expanding the customer base for the established Premier range of data storage products; extending Primary’s existing product range to include third party products as well as adding products to the Premier brand; expanding the Patriot business by marketing Patriot or own-brand personal computers to additional retailers and dealers, using Design to Distribution’s assembly facilities, or those of other companies; and making further acquisitions, if these are appropriate.
