In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, a growing number of organisations are discovering that digital learning solutions offer learning that is flexible and targeted to their audiences. Through the acquisition of the UK company Walkgrove, Semcon is expanding its leading offering in digital learning with a local presence in a new geographic market.
Walkgrove began operating back in 1994 and the company has a long tradition of providing high-quality learning solutions. Its customer base includes organisations from many different sectors, such as insurance, health and social care and humanitarian, including The UN and Oxfam. Its operations are based near Nottingham and Derby in the UK East Midlands. Walkgrove’s 20 employees have broad expertise in the development and production of learning material, with 85% of its current portfolio being digital. Most of Walkgrove’s deliveries comprise bespoke learning content, but its offering also includes a generic digital library with courses in areas such as management, IT and health & safety, as well as a digital learning platform.
Johan Ekener, business area president for Product Information said: “We are very pleased that Walkgrove is now becoming a part of Semcon. This will provide us with a solid base from which to grow our strong offering within digital and blended learning to existing and new customers in the UK. The east Midlands is an ideal location near customers in the rail industry cluster around Derby and close to Semcon’s existing operations within product information in Warwick, just south of Birmingham.”
Sarah Smith, managing director of Walkgrove said: “This is a great opportunity for Walkgrove to complement Semcon’s products and services within learning. We had been approached by several interested organisations before finding the synergy and cultural fit that Semcon offers. We are all looking forward to meeting new challenges and opportunities.”
Semcon is the largest Nordic provider of digital learning courses and has extensive expertise in the production of interactive online and mobile learning material as well as the implementation of distribution platforms for learning (Learning Management Systems and Learning eXperience Platforms). Walkgrove will become part of Semcon’s Product Information business area, which is a leading provider of digital aftersales solutions and digital learning in an international market.
In the 2020/2021 financial year, Walkgrove’s operations reported sales of approximately GBP 1.4 million. The acquisition will be consolidated into Semcon from 1 January 2022.
