Chess Telecom acquires two rival companies

Cheshire-based Chess Telecom has acquired two more rival companies.

Chess has acquired the business of Hemel Hempstead-based Puma Telecom and Milton Keynes-based Sunstone. Between them, the two companies had around 800, mainly fixed-line, business customers.

The deals bring Chess' total number of acquisitions this year to five. They are among a number of similar transactions the company has completed which enable firms to sell their customer bases to Chess, while continuing working alongside the firm as a "strategic alliance partner".

Chess Telecom CEO and founder David Pollock said that it provides a useful safety net for firms which might be under pressure from the credit crunch.

"With 29 acquisitions in the past four years, we have a proven track record of success," he said.