Dorset-headquartered computer manufacturer Chillblast has been acquired by consumer tech and accessories business Tactus Group for an undisclosed sum.
Chillblast is the official PC supplier of Williams eSports – part of one of the world’s most historic Formula 1 teams – and its VR tech is used by the Ministry of Defence’s RAF Air Cadet training simulators are also built on Chillblast’s cutting-edge
According to Warrington-based Tactus, which owns brands including Geo, Horizon and Nazare, the acquisition will "enhance" its e-commerce business.
In August, Tactus secured a £40m investment from Chrysalis Investments to help with its growth ambitions. It has completed an additional three transactions this year for B2B IT hardware provider (BIST) Group in September and PC Gaming specialists CCL Computers in April.
Ben Miles, managing director at Chillblast, said: “We’re excited to become part of the Tactus Group. We have built Chillblast into an award-winning gaming brand over the last two decades and, with our presence in the gaming space well established, this is an exciting time for us to be joining a fast-growing technology group like Tactus.”
Scott Brenchley, chief executive of Tactus Group, said Chillblast would be an "excellent addition" to the business.
“We are building a global technology group with unrivalled expertise in the gaming space," he said. "Ultimately, we want to change the way people buy and use technology, so we are investing in brands and platforms that deliver the solutions that customers need, when they need it.
“Ben and his team have created a business renowned for building the best high-end PC systems on the market today."
The UK gaming market hit £7bn in 2020 - an increase of almost 30% on the previous year. According to Tactus, the rising popularity of streaming and e-sports will remain drivers of growth in the near future.
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