British-based managed services provider continues ambitious growth strategy to consolidate market position with third acquisition in 6 months

Claranet, one of Europe's leading managed service providers, has acquired the French hosting company Typhon, for a total consideration of £3.4m.

The acquisition of Typhon follows acquisitions earlier this year of Star Technology Services (in November) in a deal valued at £55m; and Portuguese hosting service provider CGEST (in July). This latest acquisition further confirms Claranet's position as the largest mid-tier provider of integrated hosting and network services in the UK and continental Europe.

Founded in 2005 and based in Paris, Typhon is recognised as specialist in web and open source hosting services. The acquisition broadens still further Claranet's existing service portfolio, and sees the Claranet Group grow to over 700 employees, with over 4,700 customers and operations in six European markets. The new combined Group will have annual revenues of over £124m.

Charles Nasser, CEO and Founder of the Claranet Group, stated: "This announcement confirms our ambition to become the clear leader for managed services across Europe, while the acquisition of Typhon also positions Claranet as the leading provider for web hosting and applications in France."

"Claranet's mission is to provide services that help its customers make the most of internet-enabled technology, and to achieve the benefits this can deliver for their business. The three acquisitions this year move Claranet a major step forward in terms of our growth and capabilities, which would otherwise have taken us many years to achieve organically," he added.

"Becoming part of the Claranet Group will create new opportunities for our customers, partners and employees, and they will all benefit from Claranet's pan-European operations, its strong financial footing and the expanded services portfolio," stated Jules Vo Dinh, MD and co-founder of Typhon.

The acquisitions have been funded through debt and supported by Claranet's partnerships with The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), Ares Capital Europe and Abry Partners, which demonstrate their confidence in Claranet's growth strategy.

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Claranet
Founded in 1996, Claranet has evolved from being a pioneering ISP (Internet Service Provider) into an MSP (Managed Services Provider), with annual revenues of £120 million. Claranet has circa 700 employees, an international footprint in six countries and although Claranet has grown internationally, the focus has always been on local service, out of local offices, using local data centres.

As a result of the acquisition of Typhon, Claranet will have revenues of £124 million, over 700 staff, and over 4,700 customers.

Claranet brings together the best people, process and technology to provide flexible, secure and cost-effective managed services that guarantee network and application performance. We allow customers to focus on their core business, not IT management.
www.claranet.co.uk