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Blick extends African presence

Blick South Africa, a subsidiary of the UK-owned global Blick group, has acquired Impro Systems, the Cape Town-based distributor of Impro Technologies products, for an undisclosed sum. Impro Technologies is a South African designer and manufacturer of a complete range of proximity access control systems with 10 000 sites globally.

Blick SA, with 16 000 clients in Africa, is a market leader in the design, installation and servicing of a complete range of security and time management solutions. The 7-year-old Impro Systems is focused primarily on proximity access and identification systems, CCTV solutions, intercom equipment and general security products. It is responsible for the installation and servicing of electronic security equipment and software in the Western Cape region and also supports clients throughout Africa.

Stefan Oberholtzer, managing director, Blick South Africa, says: "This acquisition is an excellent strategic fit with Blick's existing South African security business. It not only strengthens our position in the Western Cape, where we see good growth, but also in the rest of Africa, where Impro Systems is well established.

Stefan Oberholtzer, managing director, Blick South Africa

"In addition to enhancing our installation and support capabilities in sub-Saharan Africa, it also extends our core product range. Prior to the acquisition we did not market Impro solutions in this region. In fact, we were competitors in some areas. Now, however, we have a good business relationship that is bound to benefit our customer base and the market in general."

The acquisition of Impro Systems is a further commitment by Impro Technologies to move away from direct involvement in the systems installation business. According to Oberholtzer, current Impro Systems customers will benefit from Blick's nationwide presence, its national call desk and global expertise. Impro System's 18-strong staff complement will be integrated into the Cape-based office of Blick SA. John Powell, the former managing director of Impro Systems will now focus exclusively on sales development of the Impro range of products. "As for the future, we see ourselves continuing to grow our markets through natural sales increases from delivering and supporting the solutions that the markets needs and through a continuing acquisition programme," concludes Oberholtzer.

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