Software firm can go global after takeover by rival
Nov 27 2008 by Andrew Mernin, The Journal
A SOFTWARE firm which makes products for the blind and visually impaired has been sold to a rival in a deal which will take it into 50 new markets across the globe.
Durham-based Software Express has been acquired for an undisclosed sum by Dolphin Computer Access – a competitor which is headquartered in Worcester.
Software Express, and its team of 10 staff members, will continue to operate out of the North East, although it will now see its flagship product, Guide, launched in countries spanning the world.
Express’s former owners, Mary McMahon and her partner Adrian Sach, have agreed to oversee the running of the business for at least the next two years.
Ms McMahon said her decision to sell the four-year-old company was fuelled by her desire to expand the global reach of the product, which can transform the lives of those with problems with their sight.
She said: “We were approached in March when we were looking at different options to expand.
“Dolphin is a group of companies so it has a lot more resources and an international distribution network in 50 countries.”
Ms McMahon also said the current economic downturn played its part in influencing the sale. Noel Duffy, managing director of the Dolphin Computer Access group, said: “The acquisition of Software Express broadens the Dolphin brand portfolio and offers the business the flexibility to deliver easy-to-use solutions to the fastest growing sector of the access technology market – the over-60s.”
Software Express started life when software developer Adrian Sach set to work on a program to help his friend – who had recently lost his sight – read and send emails. A social worker got wind of the software, urged Mr Sach to make it available to other blind people, and so the developer added new functions and eventually he and his partner Ms McMahon created Software Express to sell it to the world.
Last month the company laid out plans to establish a footholds in the Australia, Germany and France as part of a global roll-out of its devices.
