Dell is remaining tight-lipped on speculation that it is poised to appoint a second UK distributor for its EqualLogic range alongside incumbent Hammer.

Speculation is building that CMS Peripherals may be one distributor Dell is looking at, although Paul Harrison, Dell’s UK channel manager, said “at this stage we have nothing new to announce”.

Sources said a deal could be in place as soon as the start of 2010.

Harrison stressed that Dell is enjoying “excellent growth” with EqualLogic through the commercial channel, including with Hammer – which Dell appointed as its first ever UK distributor at the beginning of the year. It also now works with Micro-Peripherals around its printer line-up.

Harrison added: “We can't comment on any unannounced distributor announcements in the UK.

“Our ongoing strategy with distributors is that we speak with all players in the channel, and if we see that a distributor can add value to our customers, we will consider working with them.”

Dell has spent 2009 moving closer to distribution across the globe and in March fuelled speculation that it may move to appoint a broadliner in the UK when it forged US ties with Ingram Micro and Tech Data around its PCs.

Andrew Henderson, commercial director at Dell Certified partner Lanway, said fully embracing distribution would help Dell iron out any channel pricing issues.

“If it partnered with an Ingram Micro or Computer 2000, it would also signal that it is 100 per cent behind the channel and it would be very difficult for them to then pull out of the indirect market in the UK,” he added.