Warrington-based Ixis, which has reported a significant rise in turnover and profits, will see its headcount rise to 20 following the deal

Warrington web development agency Ixis has acquired Birchwood-based LiberoNet as part of its growth strategy.

The deal, which takes the firms headcount to 20, comes after Ixis announced record turnover and profits following its management buyout in 2017.

Turnover in the financial year ending in April 2018 grew to £1.7m, up from £1.1m in 2016/2017. Operating profits almost trebled over the period, from £227k to £638k.

Ixis develops, supports, maintains and hosts websites built using the Drupal content management system – an ‘open source’ platform that continuously improves thanks to contributions from a worldwide community of developers.

The acquisition of LiberoNet will enable it to offer customers other open source platforms such as WordPress whilst benefiting from aspects of LiberoNet’s ecommerce expertise.

Ixis managing director Mike Carter said: “LiberoNet and Ixis are a perfect fit. LiberoNet’s ecommerce, WordPress and UX expertise will complement Ixis allowing us to expand our service offering to a wider audience.

“Ultimately, Ixis prides itself on being a forward-thinking agency, committed to the best fit, safe, secure and proven technologies and harnessing them for our clients’ benefit, and branching out onto other open source platforms is the natural evolution of that.”

The LiberoNet team will be relocating from its office in Birchwood and joining Ixis at its headquarters at The Base in central Warrington.  Four full-time staff, including the founder Dan Pala, a project manager and two full stack developers will join the Ixis team.

Mr Pala added: “At LiberoNet we were ready to move into the next stage of growth and this merger will allow us to benefit from Ixis’ strengths, including their knowledge base, ISO certifications and excellent support service.

Stuart Scott-Goldstone of Aaron and Partners advised Ixis on the acquisition.  LiberoNet were advised by Paul McGeerty from Styles & Co Accountants.