PHS Datashred, the confidential data destruction division of the £400 million PHS Group, has strengthened its North West base by acquiring Manchester business Shred Easy.
PHS Datashred has acquired Shred Easy, a £5 million turnover business, to service their increasing number of professional services clients in Manchester. The company now has 14 destruction centres nationally.
Anthony Pearlgood, commercial director of PHS Datashred, said:
"Data destruction is a real growth sector and as such we are expanding our business to cope with the rise in demand and in particular more stringent Data Protection Act regulations. We've been aware of the growth of the Shred Easy business for some time and were impressed with their strong customer relations, high service levels and expertise.
"Thanks to this acquisition we are now closer to our customers across the North West and Midlands and able to offer a faster and more secure service. Our key targets are very similar to Shred Easy's; we want to work with businesses in the legal, accountancy, insurance and retail sectors.
"We will offer our customers improved service levels, enhanced security standards, a more flexible range of services - including both on and off site shredding, recycling and waste disposal services and a more complete national network of depots."
Alan O'Brien, former chief executive of Shred Easy, said:
"This acquisition is the culmination of 10 years work, building the reputation and client base of the business with my partner Jim Watson. We've had many acquisition approaches over the years but we've resisted them all. With PHS Datashred we've finally found the right company that has similar values to our own and, as a bigger national player, they will be able to build on our work."
Each year, identity fraud in the UK costs more than £2.7 billion and affects over 1.8 million people, according to recent figures from the National Fraud Authority (NFA). To help combat this, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) now has the power to impose fines of up to £500,000 to businesses and organisations that are guilty of serious breaches of the Data Protection Act.