US distie seeks mass market breakthrough

GBC/Globelle, a $1.2 billion high-end US distributor, is seeking approval from its vendors to break into the volume market, selling Compaq and Microsoft products.

But the distributor's UK arm, Slough-based GBC Technologies, has reaffirmed its commitment to niche storage and networking. 'We have no plans to follow suit at this time,' said general manager Mark Hatton.

GBC/Globelle was formed in January following the merger of networking specialist GBC and storage distributor Globelle. Globelle has a long-standing relationship with Compaq in Canada and wants to sell its products in the US. GBC/ Globelle has approached MS about selling NT. A GBC/ Globelle US representative said the company would not turn its back on high-margin business.

In the UK, GBC Technologies has a u12 million turnover, selling IBM networking products and USR Total Control remote access products.

Hatton said GBC Technologies would increase its networking business as the market crossed over with storage, but said it was not in the low-margin business.