efex continues regional expansion with Compusult acquisition in Shepparton
IT advisory and services firm efex has continued its acquisition spree following its recent backing by private equity player Advent Partners, this time adding Shepparton‑based Compusult.
Established in 1996 by managing director Brad Smith, Compusult serves businesses across the Goulburn Valley and regional Victoria with managed IT, cloud solutions, cybersecurity, networking, help-desk support, and virtual CIO services.
Meanwhile, efex’ recent sale to Advent Partners hasn’t slowed the firm’s appetite for inorganic growth, with the Compusult acquisition marking its sixth in two years, deals which have seen efex grow its headcount to 350-plus across 22 locations.
“Compusult has built a trusted reputation over nearly three decades by delivering reliable, practical IT services to regional businesses,” said efex founder and chief Nick Sheehan. “They share our philosophy of keeping IT simple and effective for customers, and adding a high-capability, high-growth business in the heart of the Goulburn Valley builds on our already strong network.”
Sheehan further noted that efex already had an existing presence in Shepparton (along with other non-metro Victorian outlets in Mildura, Bendigo and Geelong), having previously stated the fresh capital injection from Advent Partners was intended to fuel the expansion of its regional Australian coverage for small-to-medium enterprises through a buy & build strategy.
New South Wales
Alongside WorldMark Corporate in Geelong, efex has also grown its presence across regional New South Wales over the past five years through the additions of In Touch Office Technology in Albury and BMS Group in Wollongong, while the firm has likewise continued to build up its capabilities through targeted acquisitions, including cyber specialist Datcom last year.
Speaking with IT industry publication CRN, Sheehan said the firm isn’t finished just yet, with four to five more purchases lined up in the near-term in what he described as a very fragmented market. Judging by other recent transactions, efex’s M&A strategy becomes reasonably clear; target well-established businesses with leaders who will remain in place, as is the case with Compusult.
“Our priority has always been to provide enterprise grade IT solutions that are accessible and practical for SMBs,” Smith said of the sale. “Becoming part of efex gives our clients access to broader services, deeper cybersecurity expertise and national resources, while allowing our team to continue delivering the personalised, local support our customers value.”
