Rumours abound that US firm wants to buy Access Distribution
Sun distributor admits to being aware of speculation, but vows to continue its European expansion
Channel speculation intensified last week that an unnamed US firm is considering Sun distributor Access Distribution as a potential acquisition target.
Access Distribution, formerly known as GE Access before a name change in 2004 (CRN, 17 October 2004), is part of the General Electric group of companies. Its partners include Sun, CA, Symantec, Nokia, Avaya and StorageTek.
Martin Vessey, UK country manager at Access Distribution, told CRN: “Allegedly, it’s a US company that’s looking to buy us, but we aren’t aware of anything definite.
“This is not the first time such rumours have appeared, but we are continuing with our plan to strengthen our footprint in Europe, and Sun remains one of our key partners.”
Access Distribution was appointed an official Sun distributor six years ago at the same time as Clarity Distribution (CRN, 1 November 2000). Access Distribution later went on to acquire Sun’s original UK distributor tplc in May 2003 (CRN, 6 May 2003).
Steve Cowling, divisional director at distributor InTechnology, told CRN: “There have been rumours that Sun is looking to take its distribution arm direct and that it wants to reduce its distributor numbers to create more value-add opportunities.”
Eric Murphy, Sun business manager at rival distributor Interface Solutions, said: “I don’t think a potential sale would see [Access] disappear, but it might continue to trade under the same name and become much larger through investment [from the buyer].”
Andy Griffith, business development manager at Sun VAR Q Associates, told CRN: “It wouldn’t surprise me if Access Distribution was in talks with someone from a consolidation point of view. If Access’s [sales] are successful, it marks it as a potential target.”
Sun declined to comment at the time of going to press.
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