Computerlinks toasts sales rise

Distributor sees turnover rocket 42 per cent in 2006 and labels it as most successful year in company's history

Computerlinks has consolidated its position at the peak of the pan-European security distribution arena by achieving a 42 per cent hike in turnover for 2006.

Operating in 12 European countries and North America, the firm posted sales of €397m for the 12 months to December, up from €279m a year earlier.

The bottom line swelled at a similar rate as pre-tax profits leapt 38 per cent to €15.3m.

But despite declaring that 2006 was a “record year”, the distributor revealed its plans to expand into Spain had suffered a set-back.

After grabbing Nordic security distributor Securesoft Group in June 2005, Computerlinks revealed in October that it was in talks to buy Spanish counterpart Mambo Technologies.

But Computerlinks chief executive Stephan Link said in a statement: “Currently we cannot pursue our planned acquisition in Spain for the time being owing to tax risks for Spanish distribution models.”

He added that the firm was “assessing opportunities in the Middle East for further market expansion”.

Link concluded: “We can look back on the most successful fiscal year in our company’s history. The size of our turnover, our profitability and our strong reputation amongst customers and manufacturers offer the best evidence of our leading market position.”