Business and residential broadband service provider WiFiber has been acquired by Viatel.
Viatel is an independent provider of connectivity, cloud and security solutions with 265 people employed across Ireland with locations in Dublin, Dundalk, Cork, and Limerick.
Its consumer and business broadband division is Digiweb.
WiFiber is a Wicklow based company, servicing residents and businesses along the east coast. It counts the National Concert Hall, DLR County Council, EastCoast FM, RTE and CRH amongst its business customers.
Wifiber Ltd operates out of Wicklow Enterprise Centre in Delgany and was incorporated in 2016. The company principals are directors Nikki Thuillier (59) and Robert Kozakowski-Baranowski (39).
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Thuillier previously operated his broadband supply service through Wicklow Broadband Ltd, which was incorporated in 2006.
That company was wound up by members in 2018 in a solvent liquidation process that saw a surplus of €1.1m returned to shareholders.
Liquidator Pauline Atkinson’s E5 final statement of account filing included the remark: “A supplier’s email was hacked and a payment diverted to a bogus account. A complaint was made to the Gardai and nearly all funds recovered from the bogus account. No liability attaches to the liquidator in relation to this.”
Wifiber Ltd has a successful trading record in recent years, with the company booking a net profit of €476,000 in the year to June 2019 and a net profit of €601,000 in 2019/20. Net worth in June 2020 was €1.35m, including €1.1m in cash.
Thuillier owns 90% of parent company Pearmeadow Ltd with his Polish business partner owning the balance of the equity.
Viatel CEO Paul Rellis commented: "Together we can partner to bring even more value to our customers across the business and consumer sectors. Customer service and satisfaction is extremely important to both companies and makes us a great fit.
"We are delighted that Nikki Thullier and his team will remain with the business as we build into the future."
WiFiber has a strong position providing connectivity services to the events industry, working with many of Irelands leading event and festival teams, including the National Ploughing Championships, Bloom, the Aviva Stadium, Electric Picnic, Longitude and Body & Soul festivals.
Nikki Thuillier said: "I am immensely proud of the business we have built. Our team is passionate about providing a personable, strong and reliable service to our customers. I believe this will be the keystone to a successful partnership with Viatel and Digiweb, who share Wifiber’s ethos and passion."
Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed. Post-acquisition, Viatel says its group revenue will exceed €65m in 2022.
Pix: Conor McCabe
