Dan sold – but not as going concern

The assets of bust computer builder Dan Technology have been bought by OE Group, a Staffordshire-based rival.

OE Group, which trades as Stone Computers, emerged as the new owner after receivers BDO conducted a sealed bid auction. Up to five companies are thought to have submitted offers.

A couple of weeks ago BDO told PC Advisor that there was an unnamed buyer on the table and it hoped to sell the business as a going concern, which would have meant warranty support and jobs secured.

James Bird, managing director of the OE Group, told us that his company was not that unnamed bidder, said in the industry to be a Hertfordshire reseller called Hemini.

Warranty support will remain in the hands of BDO, and it could be problematic, as there is no funds or insurance money set aside to pay for this support.

But OE Group is to look at providing warranty support for Dan Customers - 'on a case by case' basis. "We will be speaking to them as soon as possible with a view to providing solutions for the benefit of both parties," Bird said.

He said it was too early to consider hiring former Dan employees.

OE Group aims to 'rejuvenate the Dan Technology brand' for the public sector and corporate markets, and reports considerable overlap between the two companies' customer bases. However, it will not promote Dan as a retail brand.

OE Group makes its own PCs and is a £35m t/o business employing 115 people.

Dan Technology at its peak was a £50m t/o company, but revenues fell to c.£20m in its last year. ®