WStore confirms Inmac purchase
Online reseller confirms purchase of French VAR
Online VAR WStore has confirmed its acquisition of French reseller Inmac, as predicted by CRN.
In October, CRN reported that WStore was in discussions with the former Micro Warehouse division, however WStore’s managing director, Tony Price, said at the time that it would only make a make a concrete decision to acquire Inmac after a detailed analysis of its financial accounts (CRN, 24 October).
Until 2004, Inmac consisted of a UK and French division, both owned by Micro Warehouse, which in turn was owned by investment firm Gores Technology Group. However, in May 2004 Gores sold the Inmac UK division and Micro Warehouse to PC World Business.
WStore rival, dabs.com, also owns a French software-focused division called SOS Developers. However, dabs EMEA marketing director, Johnathan Wall, claimed it was not threatened by WStore’s acquisition.
“We looked at acquiring the French Inmac division previously, but I’m sure it will prove a profitable purchase for WStore.
“However, WStore must not take its eye off its UK business while integrating Inmac, which will probably keep its name for the time being.”
WStore’s acquisition supports recent figures from The Office of National Statistics, which found that increasing numbers of UK firms are choosing to acquire abroad. (CRN, 7 November)
Paul Graham, managing director of online reseller Excite IT, said: “It makes sense for WStore to expand into Europe as it already has a lot of competition in the UK and the Inmac name is very well known.”
James Calvert, chief executive of analyst Regent Associates, said: “It’s a sensible and rational move for any company to want to become international and the internet helps that. Thanks to the internet, business can be done in a variety of locations.”