M&A rumours in Cisco channel

Yates: No desire to sell up

As speculation circulates about further consolidation at the top end of the Cisco channel, recently certified Gold partner Comms-care has stated it has no interest in selling up.

Following the sale of Gold partners s2s and Minx earlier this year, channel rumours indicate that further consolidation may be afoot, with support services firm Comms-care being one name linked to a possible acquisition.

The Crewe-based firm achieved Cisco Gold partner status in May and was recently included on the Tech Track list of the UK's fastest growing technology firms. Managing director Scott Yates told CRN the privately-owned company was an attractive target for potential suitors but asserted he had no desire to open negotiations.

"We get approached all the time and we have had a couple of very serious people after us," he said. "The offers were more than enough but we are making money and I am enjoying it. We are not up for sale and would not consider opening up any talks."

Just over a year ago, telecoms behemoth BT grabbed two Cisco partners in the space of six weeks in the shape of Lynx and Basilica. 2008 began with Crawley-based VAR and Cisco Gold partner s2s selling up to services giant Bailey Teswaine.

Minx became another top level Cisco VAR to be bought when it was snapped up by corporate reseller Insight Enterprises in July for about £760,000. Gold partner 2e2, meanwhile, has been in acquisitive mood this year after nabbing security specialist Netstore for £57m in August.

Carrier Cable & Wireless is another top partner of the networking giant that has been on the lookout for acquisition targets this year. The telecoms firm spent much of the summer in a cat and mouse chase with rival Thus over a proposed £329 buy-out which finally went ahead last week.

Integrators Azzurri, Redstone and Repton are other notable Cisco channel players to have hit the acquisition trail over the last couple of years.