Rocom hits back at uncertainty rumours

As speculation grows about a possible management buy-out (MBO),
distributor Rocom has hit back at rivals' suggestions that customers have been unsettled by uncertainty over its future.

Rocom parent company AT Communications (ATC) revealed in November that it was in talks to sell one of its subsidiaries, widely believed to be Rocom. ATC announced last week that further enquiries had been received and "significant progress" had been made on a possible deal.

Scott Dobson, managing director of distributor Vcomm, told CRN uncertainty about Rocom's future could fuel "fear and doubt" among customers and suppliers. "They need to sort something out or say that they are no longer considering it, " he said.

"Hundreds of customers may be questioning whether they are going to be dealing with the same company and they do not want to leave them in limbo."

Sources claim there are several interested parties left in the running including Rocom’s management team and rival telecoms distributor Nimans.

Rocom managing director Richard Carter remained tight-lipped on the MBO rumours and maintained it was business as usual for the West Yorkshire-based company.

"There is no update beyond that which has been made by the group," he said.

"There is not any uncertainty which has had any effect on suppliers or customers."

Jess Thompson-Hughes, managing director of wireless specialist React Distribution, claimed Rocom was an attractive acquisition target. "It has a good run rate and relationships with suppliers," he said.

"But these things must be done quickly as doing them slowly over a period of time can kill business."

Nimans declined to comment