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AWA business sold to Cabrini Health

Australian technology service company, AWA, has been sold to Cabrini Health Limited, with the iconic 105-year-old company to be integrated into a new group, Cabrini Technology Services.
Written by Leon Spencer, Contributor

The ICT business and assets of Australian technology service company, AWA (Amalgamated Wireless Australasia), has been sold to Cabrini Health Limited, following the administration of the iconic 105-year-old technology company on 26 February.

Cabrini Health and AWA's administrator, PPB Advisory, today jointly announced the purchase of the technology service company, saying that the acquisition would allow Cabrini to expand its technology services, which include biomedical engineering, assistive technology services and facilities management.

"It's about the convergence between IT and biomedical engineering," a spokesperson for Cabrini Health told ZDNet. "It will enable Cabrini to create a service model that encompasses a much higher level of information system knowledge, networking skills and management of data.

"The acquisition of AWA is consistent with Cabrini's mission and strategic plan, addressing key objectives such as development of new markets in an area of unmet need."

In a statement, Cabrini said that there were "many synergies" between its Chemtronics business and AWA, which would provide opportunities for "operating efficiencies and provide new opportunities in future development and business growth".

Although the value of the purchase has not been made public, PPB Advisory said that the deal would preserve 130 AWA jobs around the country. As of February, AWA claimed around 250 employees and a national network of service agents covering more than 700 locations around Australia.

Cabrini has indicated it will support the ongoing operation and development of AWA as it integrates the business into a new group called Cabrini Technology Services, comprising Chemtronics Biomedical Engineering, Chemtronics Direct, Hospitech Facilities and Asset Management and In-A-Tick Inspection Testing Services.

The new group will be led by Tim Staker, national general manager of the Chemtronics Group.

Cabrini also said it would preserve and continue to trade under the AWA name and brand.

"We are committed to continuing to maintain the AWA brand and reputation as a specialist in information technology services," said Dr Michael Walsh, chief executive of Cabrini. "We will retain all existing contracts and strive to build on existing relationships and services."

AWA started off as a radio manufacturer and radio broadcaster, but has more recently been delivering technology services to major enterprises and governments including, Flight Centre, Hewlett Packard, Dimension Data, and the Department of Defence.

Cabrini, a not-for-profit Catholic healthcare provider, has been involved in technology services since the late 1990s with the acquisition of Chemtronics Biomedical Engineering and now provides technology services for a host of big name customers.

Its current customers include the Australian Defence Force, New Zealand Ministry of Education and Fonterra.

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