IT can trace its roots back to the 1966 World Cup final. Now Dunstable-based Apple Security Group is focused on its goal of reaching the £10m turnover mark after a hat-trick of acquisitions.
With advice from the corporate team at KBS Corporate, Apple Security has completed its latest acquisition with the £300,000 buyout of CCTV firm, Telewatch.
The business, which is based in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, supplies temporary CCTV installations at events such as festivals and concerts.
Director Colin Frost, who has been with the business for 38 years, said the deal gave Apple Security a presence in the CCTV market and is part of his strategy to build a group that offers full service security solutions.
The Telewatch deal followed the £385,000 acquisition of Kidderminster-based Apollo Security, which was also brokered by KBS Corporate, and the earlier takeover of DBI in Milton Keynes. Now Colin is currently looking at two more companies, and has not ruled out completing another hat-trick over the next few months.
Colin joined the business in 1972 as a security manager when it was known as Roye Security. In 1981, he bought a 50% stake in the company and acquired the remaining shares in 1997. In 2000, the company merged with a rival business and the group was renamed Apple Security. Today it has a turnover of £4m and employs 200 people.
Colin says the business began life supplying security guards to protect street sellers and fast-food vendors at the 1966 World Cup final at Wembley. For more than four decades, Apple Security has supplied security guards to a number of industries, but is now moving into new markets.
He says: “One of the companies I am looking at operates at the very top end of the market and supplies state-of-the-art security to organisation such as galleries and museums. The acquisition of Telewatch also gave Apple Security the ability to provide turnstiles and access control services.
“There are a number of bigger players in the market, and to compete you need to be of a certain size and able to offer clients the full spectrum of security services nationwide.
“Apple Security is on track to hit the £10m turnover target within three years and much of this growth will be achieved through acquisitions.”
John Rigby, Managing Director at KBS Corporate, added: “We are delighted to work with Colin on his ambitious acquisition strategy, and looking forward to completing further acquisitions that will enhance the services of Apple Security.”
If you are looking to buy a corporate business, click here to view the businesses we have listed.