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15 Jun 2009
I was at the annual European meeting of the Global Technology Distribution Council (GTDC) last week and I could not help but feel a little awestruck by the power of these people grouped together in one room.
Interestingly all the GTDC members agreed that this recession has been the worst we have experienced for many years in the industry because, unlike the 2002 and 2004 downturns, this one is all-encompassing and will therefore be more protracted.
The US market seemed to be stabilising, according to figures released by the GTDC based on member financials but in the words of Roy Vallee, chief executive of Avnet: “The US should take full credit for leading the global slowdown, and the US should lead us out of it as well.”
However, the general mood was that the recession is by no means over and it is certainly not a time for anyone to get complacent.
No technology area has remained untouched by the downturn either even the golden goose of virtualisation, according to Greg Spierkel, chief executive of Ingram Micro.
Europe was seen as ‘lagging behind the US’ and the general consensus was unsure how and when the green shoots of recovery would be seen.
However, despite the obvious concerns, the overwhelming feeling in the room was one of quiet confidence. I certainly left the event believing that if anything is going to emerge stronger at the end of the recession, it is IT distribution.
Sara Yirrell is editor of CRN sara.yirrell@incisivemedia.com
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