Zycko majority share in Touchline revealed

Networking distributor build upon partnership with majority share

Following the news that networking distributor Zycko and video communications distributor Touchline Video, formerly Review Video, had formed a partnership (CRN, 11 February), CRN can reveal that Zycko has become a majority shareholder of the business.

Barry Cross, managing director of Touchline, said: “I can confirm that Touchline is now part of Zycko.
“We are often asked about voice over IP (VoIP) by customers and Zycko never had a video capability before so it made sense to join forces.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Touchline will exist as a separate entity and remain in its premises in Berkshire. “We will still have relationships with the same vendors, it is just that resellers can now come to us for a total converged package. We will handle the video side of an operation and Zycko will provide the VoIP,” said Cross.

Simon Welch, marketing director at rival distributor Horizon, said: “Touchline has good skills and relationships in the visual communications environment and Zycko deals with some small name VoIP vendors. It is probably a good position they have taken.”

Zycko was unavailable for comment as CRN went to press.

Meanwhile, Westcon, which bought US-based Review Video last year (CRN Online, 18 July), clarified any confusion over ownership of Review UK. Barry Shakespeare, executive vice president of Westcon Europe, said: “We made no attempt to buy ReView UK, a trading name that we own anyway, which is why Cross has created Touchline.”