Misco boss: 'no upper limit' on headcount growth

Misco is in recruitment mode in the UK, with "no upper limit" on headcount growth, according to its boss Simon Taylor, who has moved to quash speculation that the firm is downsizing its Weybridge office.

Taylor was appointed as president of European technology products group at Misco's parent company Systemax last year and a new office in Watford was opened in April.

Contrary to some speculation, Misco is not reducing its Weybridge operation, where it currently has 60 staff, and has plans to expand its UK team, according to Taylor.

"The rumours of downsizing and postponing training programmes are just junk. We do have a large office in Weybridge, there's no doubt about it - it's a legacy from the previous management," he told CRN.

"It's a lot bigger than we need so we are trying to sublet that office but we're not looking to exit the Weybridge area. If we can get someone to take that office off our hands, great.

"We have three floors in that place and it's way too big for our needs, but we wouldn't exit the Weybridge area because we have a really good, efficient sales team there."

Taylor explained that the firm is in the process of strengthening its solutions and services offering, training for which is ongoing for Weybridge staff. He said this is creating an opportunity for Misco customers and the sales team.

"I was with the sales guys at an event on Friday and their attitude was very positive," he said, referring to Misco Expo which was held at Wembley stadium last week.

"As we're building out our solutions capability they see the value that that team adds to them and their clients, and the potential for them to grow their business and earn more money.

"It's a transformation over a period of time."

Misco introduced its 'Step Plan' sales programme for sales staff earlier this year, which Taylor said is "not much different to what goes on anywhere else in the industry".

Salespeople start off with a monthly target of £500 when they join the company, with the target gradually raised to £24,000 over two years.

Earlier this year Systemax sold Misco Germany to CANCOM SE in a move it claimed would allow the senior leadership team to focus on turning around the struggling UK business.

On a conference call in August Systemax CEO Richard Leeds said things are starting to improve in the UK, but blamed a $2.2m (£1.7m) loss for the three months ending 30 June on the UK and Italian arms of the business.

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