International computer group Bull has purchased the remaining 49 per cent shareholding in the former Aer Lingus subsidiary Cara Group for an undisclosed sum. Bull was completing its acquisition of the desktop product and services provider after acquiring a majority stake of 51 per cent in Cara two years ago. Bull said it was delighted with the performance of the Cara Group to date.

"The acquisition and integration has progressed steadily since January 1996 with Cara turning in an excellent revenue and profit growth over the period," it said. The company said that Bull Ireland, the combined Cara and Bull operation, is now the fourth largest vendor in the Irish marketplace. Achieving this strong position was the key strategic objective behind the Cara acquisition.

It said Bull Ireland, which employs over 300 people and has offices in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway, is well on track to achieve its target revenues by the year 2000. In 1996, Bull purchased 35 per cent of its initial stake from NatWest Venture Capital, which had backed a management buy-out of Cara in 1993.