Specialist Computer Holdings (SCH) has had its status as one of the UK’s largest privately held firms rubber stamped amid rumours its distribution arm, ETC, has joined the race to buy Interface Solutions.

The Birmingham Post’s West Midlands Company Guide 2008 revealed that SCH has retained its status as the region’s largest privately held outfit, with 2007 sales of £2.04bn.

The corporate reseller and distributor is now the largest privately held firm of its kind in Europe.

ETC is the latest channel name to be linked with server and storage distributor Interface Solutions, which was put up for sale by parent Fayrewood in November.

The IBM, Lenovo and Sun distributor is Fayrewood’s last remaining interest following the recent sale of French arm Banque Magnetique.

Although sources claimed the two parties are close to agreeing a deal, Keith Negal, managing director of Interface, stressed the distributor is in no rush to find a buyer.

“We have talked to many people and it is no secret that Fayrewood is in divestment mode. However, someone has to make an offer that makes sense. We have £34m in the bank and our sales are increasing,” he said. Fayrewood expects Interface to at least break even in the second quarter, despite suffering a disappointing start to the year.

One industry onlooker said: “A buyer would have to stump up £10m to £15m in working capital just to keep the business running.”

Bob Tarzey, services director at analyst Quocirca, said: “This acquisition would make sense if it extends SCH’s brand portfolio.”

SCH declined to comment on the Interface rumours, but James Rigby, UK managing director of SCH, told CRN: “We are delighted to retain our top spot among the private companies [in the Midlands].

“While we have grown to be the fifth largest privately owned business in the UK and the largest privately owned IT infrastructure player in Europe, we still retain our group headquarters in the region where we were founded more than 33 years ago,” he added.