Kinetic Solutions was founded in 1998 and provides comprehensive solutions for higher education, conferences, and hospitality. The two shareholders, Chris Wildsmith and Steve Ashley, had differing visions for the future which led to a conflict. Volaris Group acquired Kinetic Solutions in 2014. This allowed Wildsmith to focus on growing the business while Ashley removed risk as a shareholder but remained as an employee. The acquisition resolved the conflicting goals of the shareholders while allowing Kinetic Solutions to continue operating autonomously with access to greater resources from Volaris Group.

1. KINETIC
SOLUTIONS
V O L A R I S G R O U P C A S E S T U D Y

2. volarisgroup.com5800 Explorer Drive, 5th Floor, Mississauga, ON Canada L4W 5K9 | Tel: (905) 267 5400 | Fax: (905) 238 8408 2
Based in Cranfield, UK, Kinetic Solutions Ltd. serves
as a leading provider of comprehensive solutions for
higher education institutions, conference centers and
hospitality management.
Founded in 1998, Kinetic Solutions was started by
Chris Wildsmith and Steve Ashley with nothing more than
their partnership and vision. After a few short years at the
helm, Ashley and Wildsmith saw tremendous success and
sought to expand into the student accommodation and
conference markets which provided further consistent growth
that has now grown to over 300 customers worldwide.
Background

3. 5800 Explorer Drive, 5th Floor, Mississauga, ON Canada L4W 5K9 | Tel: (905) 267 5400 | Fax: (905) 238 8408 3
Kinetics’ two shareholders were not actively looking to sell
but always remained open to opportunities in the wider market.
Volaris Group recognized Kinetic Solutions as a strategic fit
for their portfolio of Vertical Market Software Businesses,
and approached the two shareholders in June 2014 to discuss
a potential acquisition.
The Volaris approach provided an opportunity for the owners to
resolve differing opinions on the future business development.
Ashley was more wary of risk and possible investment and as
a technical developer felt uncomfortable with the scale of and
pressure of owning the business from both a strategic and
operational perspective. Wildsmith was more growth focused
and motivated to continue developing the business and pushing
for the new opportunities. Thus a conflict of interest arose with
no evident solutions to the problem at hand.
Challenges
Both Wildsmith and Ashley where intrigued by Volaris’
unique buy-and-hold acquisition philosophy, as it would
provide Wildsmith the opportunity to grow and operate
Kinetic Solutions autonomously. Furthermore, with greater
access to capital, Wildsmith would be able to achieve his
objective of scaling Kinetic Solutions through both strategic
and organic growth initiatives. Ashley would obtain the benefits
of the sale, removing the risk and personal investment
required, allowing him to pursue his true passion in the
business; programming. The shareholders where excited to
accept the solution offered by Volaris Group as it would fulfill
both of their personal and professional goals.
Solutions for conflicting business goals
volarisgroup.com
We are very excited about the possibilities ahead of us for both our customers and our employees,
Volaris’ commitment to success through organic growth initiatives and their expertise in operational
mentoring align perfectly with our company’s vision and values.”
—Chris Wildsmith,
GM of Kinetic Solutions

4. 5800 Explorer Drive, 5th Floor, Mississauga, ON Canada L4W 5K9 | Tel: (905) 267 5400 | Fax: (905) 238 8408 4
The acquisition of Kinetic Solutions by Volaris had no
bearing on the company’s operations. Today, Wildsmith
continues to operate Kinetic Solutions as their General
Manager, retaining his leadership while gaining greater
access to capital. Ashley removed his risk as a shareholder
but continues to be a part of the business as a developer
and employee. Furthermore, Kinetic Solutions now has
access to corporate wide sharing of best practices for VMS
companies providing their young, ambitious workforce
the opportunity for professional growth and development.
In the near future, Wildsmith himself looks forward to
becoming an acquirer and building a better business as
part of Volaris Group.
Looking towards a bright future
volarisgroup.com
“Making the decision to sell your
business is a tough process, a rare
combination of emotions, logic,
short vs. long term thinking and
ego…what impressed me most
about the Volaris process was that
the promises pre-acquisition and
realities post acquisition have 99%
played out and I’m looking forward
to further opportunities under the
Volaris umbrella.
—Chris Wildsmith,
GM of Kinetic Solutions
“