Network Utilities expands with Metropolitan Networks buy

Networking and security player Network Utilities has make an acquisition to add more support and managed services depth to bolster its ambition to be the largest supplier in the UK.

The move to buy Metropolitan Networks means that the combined business now includes an on-premise data centre and a NOC in the UK and a customer base of more than 400 enterprise and service provider clients.

Following the deal Network Utilities will take over the staff, premises and ongoing maintenance contracts from Metropolitan. The combined entity will have top tier accreditations from a range of vendors, including Juniper Networks, Pulse Secure and Fortinet. The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

The two firms are no strangers having worked previously on various projects and the acquisition also marks a new chapter in the history of the 25 year old Network Utilities, with its managing director and one of the original founders Michele Lewington opting to take a step back from the business.

"My heartfelt thanks go to those Network Utilities employees who are amongst some of the most talented, hardworking and loyal of all in the industry. It is their commitment to the business over many years that has enabled me now to leave the company in safe hands to enjoy semi-retirement and the pursuit of other interests," she said.

David Bundock, chief operating officer at Network Utilities, said that the business had worked hard to grow organically but this was an opportunity add more reach to the operation.

“As one of the oldest serving specialist solution providers with customer relationships that span over a decade, Network Utilities has focused on excellence over growth. However, with this deal, we now have the depth and breadth of people, technologies and services to expand our customer footprint without sacrificing the values that have made us so successful," he said.

Ashok Thomas, CEO and founder of Metropolitan Networks, said that the firm had achieved a lot under its own steam in the last 15 years bit a deal made sense.

"To keep on meeting the expectations of our clients while expanding the business proved challenging through organic growth alone. This investment by Network Utilities and the merging of expert technical and sales teams into a new entity offers our existing clients more benefits, including access to some of the best security focused people in the UK plus a management team that have vast experience in successfully growing a business over the last two decades," he said.