Axell Wireless, whose Distributed Antenna System (DAS) solutions strengthen wireless signals in locations traditional mobile phone networks are unable to reach such as deep tunnels or inside high-rise buildings, has been bought by PBE Group. The company became the first disposal made by private equity company Advent International after its £4 billion acquisition of aerospace and defence company Cobham.
Cobham originally acquired Axell for £85 million in 2013 and the company’s previous projects included wireless coverage inside the London 2012 Olympic stadium, work for the developers of London’s Shard skyscraper, Dubai’s Burj Khlaifa and the underground systems in Beijing and Singapore.
PBE Group acquired Axell Wireless in January 2021 after it was put into administration by its previous owners, but the announcement was delayed until it was able to finalise the merger of Axell Wireless with two PBE portfolio companies. The new entity – PBE Axell – will be based in Maidenhead, UK and has re-employed 60 staff at its production and administration facility. Agreements with suppliers and current contract manufacturers are in place and since the completion of the acquisition, shipments to customers and full service support have been established for all previous product lines.
PBE operates in the tunnelling, construction and mining sectors, providing data, communications, safety solutions and temporary power solutions. Its new PBE Axell unit will be able to provide a single solution from construction through to permanent fit-out, now including public safety and cellular infrastructure.
“PBE have been a customer of Axell for over 12 years, explained PBE CEO, Stuart Champion de Crespigny. “We strongly believe in the products and the team and with the merger with our IoT and electrics business, PBE Axell will be a leader in its space. We are already investing in future technologies within Axell to support the current strong portfolio of analog and digital solutions and get it back to market leader after a year or two of difficult performance.”