The best business ideas don’t always require a high-tech lab; sometimes, they simply start with a conversation in a garage. Sam Vanderpyl and Elisha Nuttall knew they didn’t want to found a start-up in said garage, instead finding their passion in what Sam affectionately calls “boring” businesses: established companies that are vital to the economy but often overlooked.
Three years ago, the pair formed Talanton Holdings with a clear plan: acquire established businesses with potential and grow them with fresh energy and perspective. They also established structures and systems, enabling the businesses to scale. Their journey began with purchasing Hi-Tec Aerials, a manufacturer of radio frequency aerials for the toughest conditions, followed by Industrial Painters, a powder coating specialist. Most recently, they added Signals NZ to their portfolio. This move marks their largest and most ambitious venture yet.
Signals NZ specialises in reliable communication solutions, including two-way radio systems, GPS tracking, and satellite and safety equipment. Their technical edge lies in their POC (Push-to-Talk over Cellular) technology. By using SIM cards rather than traditional radio infrastructure, Signals NZ offers an easier and cheaper radio solution for seamless communication anywhere there is a cell network. A major success for the team was winning a national tender for the Ritchie’s bus fleet, involving a rollout of radio and dispatching software across their vehicles.
Despite the technical nature of their businesses, Sam emphasizes that people remain the core of his and Elisha’s strategy. They have retained 100% of the staff across all three business transitions, and they thoroughly enjoy working with their staff.
To manage this expanding venture effectively, Sam turned to Ange Cook at Leech & Partners. Beyond annual reporting and financial compliance, Leech & Partners provides the high-level oversight and governance advice needed to keep the holding company running efficiently. From deciding how to structure the expanding group to streamlining multi-entity compliance, the partnership allows Sam and Elisha to focus on the bigger picture. “Ange and the team were instrumental in helping us structure everything as we grew,” Sam says.
When asked what he loves about this ambitious journey of acquisitions, Sam’s answer is simple: “It’s exciting getting into businesses that are established and being able to really enhance them. Bringing a fresh mindset to these established businesses, getting alongside the teams, learning new industries, and seeing that growth—that’s what Elisha and I love”.
Sam Vanderpyl, Elisha Nuttall and Hi-Tec Aerials team
