Following the demise of the Siltek group, Siltek Telecoms management and Eric and Sydney Ellerine have re-launched the company, trading as Centratel.
The deal was initiated by Brait Merchant Bank and David Hilewitz of V&A Capital, and is worth between R30 million and R40 million.
Michael Aitken, MD of the former Siltek Telecoms and now of Centratel, says the new company has been trading for some weeks with almost the entire staff from the former Siltek company.
Eric Ellerine is no stranger to the IT industry, holding a non-executive position on the Softline board, and Aitken says Sydney Ellerine will hold the non-executive chairman position at Centratel.
Aitlken says the decision to change the name of the company was made in an effort to distance itself from the Siltek branding after its recent demise and liquidation.
"I want to stress that even while we were part of the Siltek group, we were never just a box-mover. We have always offered value-add solutions for our clients, and this will not change. We design and build solutions, and as a business we are very sound."
Aitken explains that Centratel has a strong presence in Africa, which he aims to expand on especially since the company will earn dollars from business conducted on the continent.
"The commitment to expansion into the rest of the African market is already estimated at over $21 million. It is with these figures in mind that we see the telecommunications market, both in SA and the rest of the continent, as the major area of opportunity," he notes.
Centratel has negotiated with both vendors and clients, and Aitken says the company`s lines of credit are open and trade is continuing as normal.
The new company`s product offerings will be the same as previously, including its value-add services. These include training, logistics and support, and Aitken says the company intends to offer its indirect sales force the same credit facilities as before.
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