TETRA  |  2013-09-16

Sepura CEO Gordon Watling impressed by support of Barclay's bank.

Source: The Critical Communications Review | Gert Jan Wolf editor

With more than 45 per cent market share, Sepura is at the forefront of TETRA innovation and has achieved many industry ‘firsts’.

Demonstrating its industry spread from field to lab, Barclays has been instrumental in significant lending to customers in arguably the region’s oldest business segment - agriculture - and its newest; high technology where its clients include AVEVA and Sepura, both world leaders.

Barclays increased facilities for the Spearhead/Greens of Soham - group by £1m to assist with additional working capital following a key acquisition. Barclays lent £1m to assist with the acquisition purchase. The group is a large-scale and high profile commercial farming business based near Swaffham Prior in Cambridgeshire.

In the technology arena, Barclays has been a financial partner behind Cambridge-based Sepura plc’s growth. Sepura, a TETRA digital radio pioneer, has won Business Weekly’s International Trade title for the last two years and was a close contender for Business of the Year in March 2013.

Established in 2002, Sepura now employs over 300 people, many of whom have up to 30 years’ experience of the PMR market. Sepura is a global leader in Terrestrial Trunked Radio digital radio products, delivering mission-critical communications to customers in the public safety, military, transport, utilities and commercial sectors.

With more than 45 per cent market share, Sepura is at the forefront of TETRA innovation and has achieved many industry ‘firsts’. It solves communications challenges for organisations all over the world: in the UK, mainland Europe, South and Central America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

Barclays was chosen as Sepura’s banking and funding partner. With opportunities in new technologies and geographies - including North America - the future looks exciting for Sepura.

David Farrow, Managing Director, Eastern Region at Barclays, said: “By combining our understanding of the sector and our increasing global reach, we look forward to playing our part in Sepura’s continued success and helping the company achieve its long-term growth ambitions.”
Sepura chief executive Gordon Watling has been impressed by the bank’s support. He said: “After developing a strong relationship with us over the last five years, when the refinancing opportunity arose Barclays and Richard Redman (Relationship Director) in particular, worked hard to present us with a compelling offer.

“The combination of a competitive funding package and Barclays complete and wide ranging product offering made them the natural choice. We look forward to working in partnership with Barclays as we continue to execute our strategy.”

Source: MCCResources