Forest industry business information supplier Progressive Solutions Inc of Canada has expanded its UK operations with the acquisition of Cheshire-based Software Aspects Ltd.

Progressive Solutions’ president and chief executive officer Len Williams says the company was acquired for two primary assets – its strong software development team which has experience in the UK timber and building supplies distribution and trading industries; and its new software, BIS Track, which will be launched in September.

Describing the development team as a “phenomenal addition”, Mr Williams said: “They use the same advanced software development platforms as we do in our Canadian development offices, so their products will readily integrate with and complement the other products we sell to the UK.

“They offer local support to UK customers. But, more importantly, the team brings our company an understanding of UK business practices and our target industries, which must be reflected in the business software we supply to the UK.

&#8220Software Aspects Ltd is strategically important in our deep commitment to serving the breadth of the UK and European timber and building supplies distribution market place”

Progressive Solutions’ president and chief executive officer Len Williams

“They are strategically important in our deep commitment to serving the breadth of the UK and European timber and building supplies distribution marketplace.”

Alan Hamilton, general manager for Progressive Solutions’ UK operations, says BIS Track fills a long-overdue need for up-to-date merchant business software.

It will be launched in September in London and Cheshire, supported by a product launch campaign in the UK trade media.