Macrotron takes up with Ingram

German distributor Macrotron will change hands for the second time in a year after Ingram Micro made its latest move to strengthen its channel assembly programme.

Ingram snapped up the Munich distributor from fellow US competitor Tech Data on 9 June, following questions raised about Macrotron's future (PC Dealer, 22 April). The #100 million cash transaction agreement, to buy 99 per cent of common and 91 per cent of preferred stock, was aimed at expanding sales of Ingram's channel assembly.

Tech Data's offloading of Macrotron, which reported sales of $1.2 billion and 22,000 customers in 1997, comes 11 months after it gained a controlling interest in it.

Phil Ellet, senior vice president and president of Ingram Micro Europe, said the move would complement Ingram's agreement in May to purchase manufacturer Tulip's main facilities.

'This fits in very well with channel assembly. It gives us the customer base, a presence in Germany and the Macrotron brand name,' he commented.

Gartner Group analyst Paulo Puppoli said he was not surprised by the sale: 'This will guard against competition within Tech Data. Macrotron was always going to lose - Computer 2000 is more valuable to the distributor.'

The completion date for payment is the third quarter, depending on regulatory approval and the completion of Tech Data's acquisition of Computer 2000.

The operation will be called Ingram Macrotron.