Online technology retailer Ebuyer.com has been bought out.
The East Yorkshire giant has been acquired by Cambridge-based investor Mark Reed and industry veteran Rich Marsden in an undisclosed deal from West Retail Group. It had been a sister business to Wren Kitchens, owned by the Healey family.
Based in Howden, the business turned over £241 million in 2021, employing more than 200 people. It sits alongside one of the Wren manufacturing sites, with the company having just announced its expansion into the bedroom market.
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Ebuyer launched in 1999, and had been part of West Retail Group since 2004. Huge investment has been poured into ensuring hi-tech distribution keeps pace with the American online giants, having started immediately with the £19 million new build distribution facility.
Mr Reed launched consumer electronics distributor, Realtime Distribution in 1994. Five years later Mr Marsden was hired, progressing through the business to become sales director, and then managing director of the group that acquired Realtime in 2013.
In 2005 Reed also founded Heaven Media, a marketing and creative agency for gaming and technology. Today, the agency boasts a 100-strong global team, offering services including social media, influencer marketing, PR, creative, events and e-sports sponsorships.
Mr Reed said: “Having been involved in the technology and gaming space for the past 29 years, the acquisition of Ebuyer.com felt like a natural step forward. Ebuyer.com has huge growth potential and we have ambitions to expand into the EU, whilst also developing our gaming and PC lines.
“Trust and respect is what has kept the relationship with Rich and I over so many years and it is that basis that this acquisition and his leadership stems from. Between Rich’s expertise in hardware and the resources at our disposal, we believe there is significant growth in the business, this is what excites us about the opportunity.”
Previously heading up several UK distribution companies in the sector, Mr Marsden has spent his career in gaming hardware. He said: “I am excited to take the reins of Ebuyer.com, a company that I have worked alongside my entire career. I have been working on this deal for some time and knew that someone like Mark was the one person I trusted to help me deliver it. We’re extremely grateful to West Retail Group for the opportunity to be the next custodians of this business and build on the great work so far.
“Ebuyer.com is now my focus and we will share our plans with partners in the coming weeks. It will be an exciting time for everyone involved.”
Ebuyer.com stocks mainstream electronics, offering everything from televisions, laptops and PCs, with a thriving B2B business. It also remains a leading go-to site for computer components.
Supporting parties on the acquisition include EMW LLP, led by Nick Lloyd and Sean Halliwell, RSM, Pegasus Intelligent Corporate Finance and Dartcell. West Retail Group wasseller was advised by Gordons LLP.
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