Swansea-based leisure sector wifi provider Camping Connect has been acquired in a multi-million-pound deal.
The business, which was founded in 2011 by work colleagues Ben Griffiths and Rhodri John with just a £750 investment, has been bought by Passman Group, a leading European provider of wifi and connected solutions. The exact value of the deal has not been disclosed.
The deal marks a major milestone for the Ƶ leisure technology sector with the new owners of Camp Connect looking to drive ambitious growth and job creation. Camp Connect has a 25-strong team delivering high-performance wifi and digital solutions to over 550 holiday parks across the Ƶ.
While Camping Connect is expanding its sector focus across the Ƶ, Camping Connect will continue to operate from its Welsh headquarters in Swansea, with plans to create new skilled jobs from engineering to sales.
Passman Group, which operates in the hospitality, healthcare, and retail sector, has more than 13,000 clients and employs staff. It has annual revenues of more than £50m.
Commenting on the acquisition co-founder, Mr Griffiths: “This journey started with a simple idea and a shared passion for technology. We never imagined that what we built in our spare time would one day become part of a European tech powerhouse. Partnering with Passman Group means we can bring even more innovation to our customers while staying true to our Welsh roots and to the Ƶ leisure market.”
Mr John said: “This acquisition offers a key opportunity for us to look beyond the leisure sector and into wider hospitality markets. We are now looking to expand our areas of focus into hotels and large holiday parks, which will strengthen our mission to deliver world-class digital experiences across the Ƶ.”
Chief executive of Passman Group, Patrick Layani, said: “Camping Connect is a shining example of local innovation with national impact. We were inspired by Ben and Rhodri’s vision, values, and entrepreneurial spirit. Together, we’ll accelerate the delivery of smart, sustainable, and guest-friendly technology across the Ƶ and beyond.”
