Tech company APD Comms becomes part of global IT giant

A supplier of software to the emergency services, public safety, and control room markets has been acquired by a subsidiary of IT giant NEC Corporation.

Hull-based APD Communications has been bought by Hemel Hempstead-based Northgate Public Services (NPS), which was itself acquired by NEC in January 2018.

APD provides mission-critical communications and control systems to more than two-thirds of UK police forces as well as transportation hubs and airports including Gatwick and Dubai international airports and the London Underground.

The company increased turnover to £9.3m in 2018, up 36 per cent over the past two years, and grew operating profits by almost a third. ItAPD also secured its largest-ever order book, with new orders worth more than £3m across Europe and the Middle East alone.

More than 50 per cent of UK police forces currently use NPS’ crime, custody and intelligence management system, CONNECT, to manage information on victims and crimes. Following the deal, APD will continue to operate under its current name and its management team and operational staff will remain in place. The company will continue to be based in Hull and operate as a business unit within NPS’ Safety Division.

Mike Isherwood, managing director of APD, said: “Joining the NPS team enables us to accelerate our strategic plan and achieve our ambitions. The synergy between our products and customers is really exciting. Together, we will be stronger and have the resources and capability to provide innovative, market-leading solutions that keep our customers at the forefront of digital public safety delivery.

“Becoming part of the NEC family will provide the investment and resources to realise our global expansion plans and enable us to deliver a strengthened proposition of additional products and services.”

Ian Blackhurst, executive director of safety and health, Northgate Public Services, said: “This acquisition is a great opportunity for us to expand our offer and will bring substantial value to customers of both APD and NPS.

“Both companies are very excited about our future together. Our working practices are already very similar so we will be able to start adding value to our solutions straight away.”