Datrontech shuffles management deck

Datrontech has undergone a number of personnel changes across the group, as it integrates recent acquisitions and expands into services to counter slow growth in the components market.

Martin Mulligan was made managing director of Datrontech UK, following a recent promotion from commercial director. In his former role, he temporarily took up the reins of sales and marketing director two months ago, when Alison Heath left to join Kingston Technology (PC Dealer, 22 April).

Steven Clarke, former MD of software unit Edge Publishing, has moved into Heath's vacated spot as group sales and marketing director. His old position has been filled by Claudette Morgan. According to Mulligan, Edge has been fully integrated into Datrontech's OEM software business and Morgan is heading it as OEM software business manager.

However, George Evans, OEM manager at Datrontech Group, left the distributor on 11 June to pursue his own venture to launch an internet marketing startup.

In addition to integration, the distributor is expanding its services business through networking arm Data Connectivity and training unit Xenon.

Datrontech will expand Xenon in the south of the UK, but locations are yet to be confirmed. Data Connectivity will also develop its consultancy and post-sales offerings in the UK and replicate the expansion in Holland.

Datrontech will also enter the SME market, targeting small system builders, with the hope of moving eventually into top tier operations. Mulligan said: 'We believe SME has the lowest penetration of any UK business sector, but it is one of the fastest growing.'

Datrontech reported pre-tax profits of #6.1 million for the year ended 31 December 1997, down 24 per cent from #8.1 million. Turnover was up at #236.7 million. The distributor said its memory and component business had performed below expectations. Unit prices of memory fell by up to 70 per cent.