Up to 15 new jobs could be created and significant investment promised following the acquisition of a Machynlleth-based company by one of the fastest growing firms in the global telematics industry.
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Plant-i, a leading Welsh provider of tracking and telemetry solutions to the plant and construction sectors, has been acquired by Crewe-based Radius Payment Solutions, the group behind the telematics and fuel card brands Kinesis and UK Fuels.
The deal will enable Plant-i to expand its business and increase its current 27-strong workforce considerably over the next 12 months, with up to 15 employees required in account management, sales and customer support departments at its Dyfi Eco Park headquarters.
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“I am absolutely delighted to be able to confirm this agreement, having grown Plant-i organically over the past 15 years,” said Sam Browne, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, who started the company in 2004 by working from his kitchen table.
“I feel the next step for the company and its customers is to seek outside investment to accelerate growth, our product range, new technologies and market places. After months of discussions, we feel Radius offers everything we believe in and they are the perfect company to take Plant-i forward.
“It also shows great confidence in our innovative workforce who have been integral to supporting our growth and we look forward to the next chapter with the backing of a global company.”
Former Laura Ashley senior engineer, Sam, moved into telematics in 1999 as an engineering manager for a new company in Manchester that designed and delivered OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) solutions.
From humble beginnings, Sam has driven the rise of a formidable local company which has won six Powys Business Awards since 2011, as well as becoming ISO 9001 and 1400 accredited. It has also been included three times on the Welsh Government’s Fast Growth 50 list for the country’s fastest growing companies.
His first full time employee in 2009, Jason McAuley, became a director in 2013, and the company has grown to over 1500 customers across the UK alone.
Greville Coe, Group Managing Director – Telematics, at Radius Payment Solutions, said:
“The acquisition of Plant-i is very important for us as it opens up some exciting new markets and boosts our technical resources and product offering.
“In particular, Plant-i has taken a lead in developing solutions for plant and construction sectors and their experience in areas such as safety and security fits perfectly within the group. We see big opportunities in the global market place.”
The Plant-i brand will remain in place due to its strength in the industry, but the acquisition gives Radius Payment Solutions important additional technical capabilities and an entry into the plant and construction sectors. Their specialist expertise in connected camera technology was of particular strategic interest to Radius and this market leading solution will enhance their market offering considerably.
Following closely on from their Adam Phones acquisition in late 2018, the group is now a key global player with more than 21 offices in 14 countries providing an array of products and services to over 300,000 customers.
Plant-i tracks 25,000 assets and this acquisition will take Radius to 120,000 devices, making them one of the world’s fastest growing companies in the sector, having only started selling telematics 2015.
