London,
17
December
2014
|
23:00
Europe/London

EE acquires Mainline to boost business sales strategy

  • EE has acquired Mainline Communications Group PLC, one of the leading communications distributors in the UK, to support EE’s ambition to be the number one communications provider for business
  • EE remains committed to its B2B channel partners, with Mainline’s systems and capabilities improving dealers’ ability to work more efficiently with EE
  • The deal represents a major part of EE’s strategic multi-million pound investment into its B2B channel capabilities 

As part of its strategy to be the communications provider of choice for business, EE has acquired Mainline Communications Group PLC, one of the leading communications distributors in the UK.

EE’s B2B channel partners have helped to drive continued adoption of 4G products and services in the business market, and EE is committed to the channel’s role in driving market share. The acquisition of Mainline will allow EE to work more closely and effectively with its channel partners, including dealers and distributors of all sizes.

“Mainline is a highly responsive, efficient, and entrepreneurial distributor with excellent business practices and partnerships,” said Gerry McQuade, CMO at EE. “By acquiring Mainline, we will be able to extend their capabilities in support of our indirect B2B sales strategy and help us achieve our goal to be the top communications provider for businesses in the UK.”

The acquisition builds on EE’s current share of 26% in Mainline  and many years of close collaboration between the two companies. Mainline will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of EE and will continue to operate under the Mainline brand.

“Having been a part of the EE family for some time, we are proud to have played a key role in building and supporting EE’s business customer base,” said Andrew Boden, MD of Mainline. “We are excited to be entering this new chapter in our relationship with EE, and we look forward to helping EE forge even more successful relationships with its channel partners.”

EE values the expertise and contributions of the Mainline management and staff, and Mainline will continue to do the great work they are known for but with the full backing of the largest mobile network in the UK.  Andrew Boden, MD at Mainline, will be leaving the company  but will continue to support EE and Mainline for a transitional period. Steve Chandler will continue to be the Finance & Commercial Director at Mainline and will remain part of the board. Neal Milsom, CFO at EE, and Gerry McQuade, CMO at EE will join the Mainline board.

EE strives to be the communications provider of choice for business, and is helping some of the UK’s best-known businesses to maximise their potential through mobility, from pop-up shops to multi-national corporations, and through connected machines to mobilised workforces. EE is the biggest, most reliable mobile network in the UK and was recently awarded the Best Business Communications Provider at the V3 Technology Awards, and Best Network for Business for the second year running at the 2014 Mobile Industry Awards.

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About EE

EE is the largest and most advanced digital communications company in Britain, delivering mobile and fixed communications services to consumers, businesses, government and the wholesale market. EE has approximately 15,000 employees and 580 retail stores, and serves more than 30 million customers across its mobile, fixed and wholesale businesses.

EE runs the UK's biggest, fastest and most reliable mobile network, pioneering the UK's first superfast 4G mobile service in October 2012. EE's 4G coverage today reaches 75% of the UK population. EE’s 2G coverage reaches 99% of the population while 3G reaches 98%. EE's superfast fibre broadband service covers 54% of the UK population, and ADSL broadband service covers 98.7% of the population.

In the last few years, EE has received extensive independent recognition including being ranked the UK's best overall network by RootMetrics®, Best network at the 2014 Mobile News Awards, Fastest Network at the 2013 uSwitch Awards, Best Network at the 2014 Mobile Choice Consumer Awards and What Mobile Awards 2013, Network Innovation at the 2013 Recombu awards and Best Network for Business at the 2013 Mobile Industry awards.

Find out more at: http://ee.co.uk/business

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