Avaya wields distribution axe

Resellers fear for Nimans as comms vendor prepares to rationalise UK line-up

Avaya is moving from five to four UK distributors

Avaya is set to trim its distribution line-up from five to four, with the odd one out reportedly being served termination notice today, ChannelWeb has learned.

Westcon is by far the vendor's largest UK distributor by volume, while Scansource Communications Europe is part of Avaya's biggest global partner. Azlan was recently added to the distribution fold, as was Avnet, which gained access to the vendor's full portfolio having been a long-term Nortel distributor.

Several sources have indicated to ChannelWeb that Mancunian firm Nimans is likely to be the one left out in the cold. Resellers admitted the distribution channel needed to be rationalised, but expressed their disappointment at the idea that Nimans could lose its franchise.

“All these distributors were going after the same business and it wasn’t going to work," said one source. "But it would be a shame to lose a company that held UK stock.”

Another channel player expressed regret that Avaya might now only be distributed by bigger players.

"Nimans have great people," added the source.

Nimans is currently unavailable for comment and Avaya told ChannelWeb that it does not comment on speculation or rumour.