CU targets AV market with specialist division.

Distributor Computers Unlimited has launched its own dedicated audio-visual unit.

Distributor Computers Unlimited (CU) has launched its own dedicated audio-visual (AV) unit.

The division, named AV Unlimited, has already signed distribution deals with two major players in the AV industry, Sanyo and Toshiba, and it is looking to sign additional vendors in the near future, said James Sanson, CU's chief executive.

"The projector and plasma market is worth more than £250m in the UK with about 15 distributors, but there are no clear leaders. We can extract synergy with our other products and provide a slightly different offering to other specialist AV dealers," he claimed.

"This is a big business for us, but our logistics and products will give us an advantage over competitors. I am absolutely confident of success."

Darren Lewitt, business manager at rival distributor Midwich, which has had an AV unit for several years, was surprised that CU chose Sanyo because of its direct relationship with many VARs. He said Sanyo was doing well, but felt it was "not the easiest sell in the channel".

Last month, Midwich was appointed by Panasonic to distribute its plasma and projector products.