'Stronger' Bell Micro ready for 2010 growth drive

Chief executive Don Bell praises staff, suppliers and banks as distributor puts troubles behind it

Don Bell: We are on a higher plateau going into this year

Bell Micro is poised for continued growth in 2010 after shrugging off its financial restating woes and relisting on the stock market.

Last week, the distribution giant was given the thumbs up to relist on the New York stock market on Monday at the start of trading.

Speaking exclusively to CRN, Don Bell, chief executive of Bell Micro, said: “What a difference a year makes. We have completed our restatement process and are current with our financials.”

The distributor is due to reveal its fourth quarter 2009 results later this month, and Bell said he is expecting sales to be between eight and 10 per cent up on Q3 2009 and also Q3 2008. European turnover is expected to be up 17 per cent on Q3 2009, and up 13 per cent from the year ago quarter, he added.

“We are poised for continued growth in 2010 and we feel that we have a little wind behind our back now. We are on a higher plateau going into the year than we were last year. Our suppliers are raising credit limits and we have really appreciated the support from our banks, customers and suppliers during the last 18-months, as well as the hard work of our staff,” Bell said.

Graeme Watt, president of worldwide distribution at Bell, said the firm was stronger because of its experiences.

“Looking back, we can say that 18-months to two-years ago we were at our toughest point,” he said. “We have had to make tougher decisions and go deeper than we would have gone otherwise. But as the market rebounds, I think we will rebound quicker than anybody else.”

See ChannelWeb on Monday for full interview.