Ameriquest dents parent profits

Computer 2000's figures were once again marred by the performance of its US subsidiary, Ameriquest, causing a 1997 loss of DM70.4 million.

European business pushed the distributor's pre-tax 1997 profit up to DM61.4 million from DM10.1 million in 1996. But its net loss almost quintupled due to Ameriquest's losses, rising from DM15.7 million to DM70.4 million.

Computer 2000's sales climbed by 24 per cent to DM8.2 billion over the same period, with the company claiming a turnaround in fortune.

Ameriquest reported a modest $95,000 profit in its quarter to 31 December 1997, but the small print shows income from interest and the sale of Asian businesses were worth $275,000 to the distributor, leaving a net loss of $180,000.

Meanwhile, CHS Electronics grew rapidly at the end of 1997 as the distributor took advantage of its acquisitions, higher margins and tax reductions.

In its fourth quarter to 31 December 1997, CHS achieved $23.8 million profit on turnover of $1.8 billion, up 113 per cent over the same period.

Claudio Osorio, chairman and CEO of CHS, said the 1996 takeover of Karma International's operation, coupled with the Merisel business acquired in 1995, helped improve net margin from 0.68 per cent in Q2 1997 to 1.3 per cent in the fourth quarter. A tax reduction plan also lowered CHS' costs.