Investment bank advises Elcom on European options

Elcom International has chosen an investment bank to help it choose a partner to extend its reach within Europe. As predicted in PC Dealer (9 July), the mergers and acquisitions division of investment banker and broker Smith Barney has been called in by Elcom to evaluate a possible sale or merger of the company. It will also find contenders for strategic partnership with the reseller and devise means of maximising value for shareholders. The bank will look at a number of financing options. Elcom is interested in using its Catalink Direct subsidiary as a bridge for partnership with a company that is interested in entering the European market, particularly the UK. Tom Barth, VP for corporate development at Elcom, claimed it was ?premature to say what impact it would have on the UK?. But he said people could look to Catalink?s UK model and its successes because the engagement of Smith Barney would highlight its strengths. President and CEO of Catalink Direct Jim Rousou said , at the time of the search for a bank, the reseller had been undervalued on the US stock market. He added that a partnership would release much of its latent potential, particularly within the company?s electronic commerce offering, a technology which is winning increasing popularity as an efficient means of conducting business.