Visualsoft switched on for growth - (25 Apr 08)

FAST-EXPANDING e-tail design firm Visualsoft has made its first acquisitions under an expansion plan, which will target “small companies with big aspirations”. Talented Middlesbrough-based digi midgets Yuzo Media and BoxesRed, led by director Rich Himsworth, which both spilled out of Teesside University’s digital media courses, are the first to join the Stockton stable. Visualsoft founder and director Dean Benson said: “There’s no medium sized company like ours in the North-east and for us to start taking over two or three small to medium sized companies is an interesting way of moving forward.”

He said the aim was to identify specialist retail web designers “perhaps selling £10,000 a week online but who want to be selling £100,000 a week”.

BoxesRed brings with it the firm’s first blue chip company website - the Virgin-owned Flying Without Fear. The acquisition will swell Visualsoft’s 15 staff at Preston Park to 18.

“We’re no Kvaerner, but that’s effectively increasing our staff by 20% - it’s great for us,” said Mr Benson, who saw Visualsoft, founded in 1998, pass the £1m turnover.

He said the company, which specialises in offering online solutions for retailers, planned to up its game with a co-ordinated pr campaign, including the launch of its own new visualsoft.co.uk. Mr Himsworth will move to Visualsoft as part of the deal.

Apr 23 2008 Evening Gazette | The Journal