Bantek Merge with The Wilson Group

The merger with Wilson strengthens and expands Banteks ATM nationwide second-line maintenance and Client/Server service solutions. Wilson has a 20-year track record of success in those service categories. Wilson also offers broad expertise in ATM installation, de-installation, and software and hardware upgrades. Wilsons customer base in Michigan, Indiana and Illinois will gain access to Banteks national footprint and greater financial resources. Wich also noted that as an independent service provider, Banteks interests are aligned with those of its customers -- e.g., reducing aggregate life cycle acquisition and service costs for their ATM and other equipment -- in contrast to equipment manufacturers whose primary motivation is to sell their own equipment and solutions. As a single source service solution provider, Bantek can provide its customers with higher equipment uptime and availability at lower costs. The companies combined capabilities in the Microsoft Windows and LAN/WAN market separate Bantek and Wilson from other ATM service providers, an increasingly important consideration as ATMs evolve to a Windows-based operating environment and banks begin separating their ATM software purchasing decisions from their hardware purchasing decisions. The two privately held firms did not disclose terms of the merger, which is effective immediately. Bantek was founded in 1986 and has grown under its current management from a regional company serving five western states into a national provider of cash transportation, ATM and other equipment services. It currently has 52 branch offices located coast to coast. The Wilson Group traces its history back to 1965 as a provider of office equipment maintenance services. For the past 20 years, Wilson has specialized in providing single-source ATM and desktop workstation services and high end installation, de-installation and upgrade solutions to financial institutions and other customers in Michigan, Indiana and Illinois. As a result of the merger with The Wilson Group, Bantek now services more than 15,000 ATMs nationwide, including second-line services for approximately 4,000 ATMs of all manufacturers, including Diebold, NCR, Wincor Nixdorf, Triton, Tidel and Tranax.