TouchStar Technologies

TouchStar's range of TouchPC touch-screen computers are used in businesses and industries requiring robust field automation, including fuel distribution, on-board sales on airlines and trains, van sales and field service organisations. The solutions, which incorporate both standard and bespoke software and a range of integrated peripherals such as scanners, printers and credit card readers are designed to increase productivity, improve accuracy, and save time for companies.

TouchStar has its headquarters in Manchester, from which it supplies and services its own range of TouchPC rugged, hand-held computers and application software to business users around the world. TouchStar’s sales base extends principally across five worldwide locations, including the UK, USA, mainland Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

Current users benefiting from TouchStar solutions include BP Amoco, Shell, NHBC, Air Products, GNER, Eurostar and over 40% of the world's airlines including Lufthansa, Swissair, Saudia Arabian Airlines and Britannia Airways.

Originally established in 1986 in the UK as ACS Data, TouchStar was bought by US energy company Mapco Inc. in 1997, which was in turn bought by The Williams Companies Inc. in 1998. In 2001 TouchStar was acquired from US energy corporation, The Williams Companies Inc, by the management team of its UK division for an undisclosed sum. In May 2003 the UK division of TouchStar Technologies was again acquired privately.

It was formally announced on the London AIM Stock Exchange on Tuesday 27th September 2005 that TouchStar would be acquired by Belgravium Technologies plc. The deal was ratified by Belgravium shareholders at an EGM held on 21st October 2005 and was formally completed on the 24th October 2005