DWF has advised the shareholders of Fylde Micro Limited (Fylde), the UK-based radio trunking solutions company, on its sale to Sepura, a leading global provider of critical communications solutions, for an initial cash consideration of £2.75 million.

Fylde develops and manufactures trunking controllers that enable a simple, low-risk and cost-effective migration from analogue to digital networks and the strategic acquisition further enhances Sepura's product offering. Fylde has a strong reputation within the Professional Mobile Radio (PMR) market and has been a pioneer in radio trunking for over 30 years. The firm was instrumental in delivering the analogue MPT1327 standard to a global market and has been closely involved in the writing of ETSI digital standards for Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) and Digital Private Mobile Radio (dPMR).

Brian Seedle, Chairman of Fylde, said: "We are thrilled to be joining the Sepura group at such an exciting time for the PMR industry. Sepura has established itself as a catalyst for analogue to digital migration, enabling increasing numbers of organisations to realise the productivity gains provided by digital communications solutions. Combining our respective product portfolios offers analogue users a simpler more cost effective migration strategy, and provides further market reach for our range of products through access to the renowned Sepura network of partners and distributors."

Frank Shephard, head of corporate in the North West, led the deal at DWF and commented: "Fylde has a fantastic reputation and its technology will further enhance Sepura's communications portfolio, enabling the company to provide its customers with more cost effective, flexible solutions as they migrate their existing analogue networks to digital."

Frank was supported on the deal by senior solicitor Darren Ormsby and trainee solicitor Katy Phillips in the corporate team at DWF. Mills & Reeve acted for Sepura.

DWF's 80-strong corporate team has seen a 140% year-on-year increase in deal volumes across the UK with particular growth in the technology, financial services and real estate sectors. The firm's experienced technology team advises an extensive base of international clients, including listed businesses, multinational corporations, owner-managed businesses, local authorities and major industrial and provident societies. This includes corporate and commercial technology-related work, including data security, data protection, intellectual property, procurement and outsourcing.