Whiteley: Premier Telecom Group and Business Phones Direct join forces and create OneCom
Two of the region’s fastest-growing companies are to come together under one brand, creating a £40 million turnover business, and ensuring continued growth and the immediate creation of more than 70 new jobs.
Premier Telecom Group and Business Phones Direct (BPD), which both have their head offices on the Solent Business Park at Whiteley, are to join forces to become OneCom. The business will instantly have a turnover in excess of £40 million and, with the tranche of jobs created by this latest move, a combined staff of nearly 300.
Premier Telecom Group is one of the largest independent providers of mobile voice and data, fixed line, IT and unified communication solutions. Managing more than 150,000 mobile lines and with a client list which includes names such as London Transport, NHS and B&Q, it boasts a level of customer retention that is virtually unheard of in the industry. As a result it has featured for the past two years in the prestigious Sunday Times Tech Track 100 which ranks Britain's private tech companies with the fastest-growing sales.
Business Phones Direct is an independent business phone company which has been trading successfully with small and medium-sized enterprises across the UK for over a decade.
OneCom CEO Darren Ridge explained: “We are in the throes of a communications revolution. The massive advances in communications technology have created demand for an intelligent and converged approach for all businesses, SMEs and corporates. It is this demand which has been so exciting for both Premier Telecom and BPD in recent years - this move will ensure we can continue to respond to it.
“The new combined portfolio of OneCom will offer the most advanced solutions to allow businesses of all shapes and sizes to capitalise on converged communications with enhanced capability including cloud technology, cross platform device management software, electronic forms and tracking and information management software.
“Customer service is at the heart of a business such as this. Premier Telecom is Vodafone’s number one platinum partner. We will retain our local focus through our regional offices across the UK offering a level of ongoing support and pro-active account management normally only delivered by smaller businesses. This commitment to customer service will be complemented though by the competitiveness and buying power of a business with a multi-million pound turnover.
“The plan now is to continue with our historic service offering delivering quality and value for mobile, tablet and internet and also continue to expand the device management integrated elements of the business with a focus on consultancy and innovation.”
The announcement of the move was made at a celebratory event at the Ageas Bowl on June 28.
