[London, ENGLAND] Global communications group Cable & Wireless
announced Friday the acquisition of its twenty-sixth European
Internet business in two years — this time Hyperlink Interactive
Ltd., a U.K. agency that offers B2B digital e-commerce solutions.
The Cable & Wireless strategy of buying small, specialist
businesses has brought it a substantial number of experts in
new technologies — staff who would be hard to find on the
open recruitment market. Hyperlink Interactive employs 100
people, many of whom have helped design some of the first
multi-functional e-commerce sites in the U.K.
“This acquisition will contribute to Cable & Wireless’ plans
to lead in the global provision of end-to-end IP services to
business customers and moves us significantly up the value
chain,” said Peter Green, president, U.K. and Ireland, Cable
& Wireless.
Tim Jenner, managing director of Hyperlink Interactive,
explained his company’s philosophy as aiming to build Web
sites that provide good returns on investment for its clients.
“We are already ideally positioned to take full advantage of
emerging technologies and through Cable & Wireless we can
rapidly extend our capabilities and bring our expertise to
a far larger customer base,” said Jenner.
Recently de-merged from Hyperlink Plc, one of the fastest
growing companies in the U.K., Hyperlink Interactive Ltd.
declared a net asset value of £1.16 million
(US $1.70 million) in its November 2000 management accounts.
As well as designing some award-winning Web sites, Hyperlink
Interactive offers managed Web hosting and consultancy and
support.
Cable & Wireless, with revenues of over £9 billion
(US $14 billion), has chosen to focus on IP for its future
growth, providing data services and solutions for business
customers. In Europe, its average one-a-month purchase of
ISPs, systems and data network integrators and Web design
agencies is building a substantial presence in the B2B sector.
