TPM Computer Services Ltd, the London-based third party maintenance start-up headed by ex-StorageTek luminary John Stancioff and former Millicom Inc president Peter Erb (CI No 436), has bought the maintenance base of UK former mini manufacturer Digico from Optim Computer Group Ltd for around UKP1m in cash to be paid over five years. The UKP1m a year operation, based at Hitchin, Hertfordshire brings 20 engineers, 485 customers and a huge pile of spares to TPM. The acquisition follows TPM’s purchase of former Systime subsidiary, Amsterdam-based Business Solutions International BV, from Control Data Corp last July (CI No 468) for a sum approaching UKP2m. TPM – Third Party Management, not Maintenance as we said before – now has operations in Benelux, UK, France and West Germany with plans to start up this year, through joint ventures, in Spain, Scananavia, Switzerland and, through a subcontractor, in Italy as well. It also has a purchasing company based in New York. The pass-the-parcel sale is the third time the Digico base has changed hands since the minicomputer manufacturer called in a receiver towards the end of 1983.
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