Azlan set to axe more jobs in UK after sales overhaul

Distribution Redundancy tally for 1998 hits 42 as distributor attempts to rein in costs.

Networking distributor Azlan has bowed under pressure to reduce costss to rein in costs. by making further redundancies at its UK office while reorganising its sales team.

On 26 August, 25 jobs were cut from across the board, including losses from the financial and services department, taking this year's redundancies up to 42 following a series of cullings in January (PC Dealer, 21 January).

Azlan also landed in hot water with its shareholders recently after the distributor had to recirculate its reports and accounts prior to its AGM held on 25 August.

According to Adam Kay, senior executive at voting agency Manifest - which is also a Azlan shareholder - the report contained a number of mistakes, including the distributor seeking shareholder authority to issue 50 per cent of shares in the next year.

But according to institutional guidelines, the stipulated amount allowed to be issued is only a third of share capital.

Also included in the amended report, received by shareholders on 4 August, was a resolution that Tom Anderson, who was appointed as non-executive director in March, had to be re-elected at the next AGM.

Kay said: 'I couldn't say if this was indicative of Azlan, but this is basic stuff it has not got right.'

In the chairman and chief executive statement in Azlan's annual report, Barrie Morgans, former chairman and chief executive, stated the product business had 'lacked focus', asserting that a cost effective sales and logistics model, a working capital model and a clear management structure were the answer.

Azlan refused to comment.