CDW has Euro vision for Micro Warehouse

Negotiations expected to start in new year for 'jewel in the crown' UK business

CDW has re-entered the bidding process for Micro Warehouse's European operation, joining at least 30 other firms worldwide that have expressed an interest in the online reseller.

Earlier this month, official letters were sent out from US bank Miller, Buckfire, Lewis, Ying to firms that had registered an interest, after a 45-day grace period giving CDW exclusive rights to buy the firm.

The European business has been up for sale since September, after the firm's parent filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and its North American assets were sold for $22m to CDW.

Nigel Foxwell, Micro Warehouse's managing director, said: "We expect the serious negotiations to start in the new year."

Alan Norton, head of intelligence at Graydon, said: "The bidding will end up between two or three parties and will come down to price. The UK business is definitely the jewel in the crown."

CDW was unavailable for comment.