Former Memsolve workers reappear at Logitek branch

Lancashire distributor Logitek has formed a business unit staffed by ex-Memsolve employees to target the defunct company's customers.

Chris Walmsley, ex-marketing manager at Memsolve, has resurfaced as sales manager of the operation, which is made up of four former Memsolve key account managers. The unit's task will be to re-establish the vendor and customer relationships initiated at Memsolve before it fell into administration last month.

Walmsley claimed Logitek's directors had been impressed by its vendor relationships and the deals that ex-Memsolve staff were able to secure.

'We are building on our customer and supply relationships - that was Memsolve's strength,' he said.

'The unit has been up and running for two weeks. It is autonomous and Logitek wants us to make the most of companies' crossover. The board of directors has been really supportive and the unit is already doing well,' he added.

Peter Rigby, director of marketing at CHS Electronics, stated: 'I wouldn't say this was normal practice, but obviously the Memsolve guys have skills Logitek found attractive.'

Memsolve finally fell into administrative receivership last month (PC Dealer, 17 February) leaving debts of up to #5 million. As exclusively revealed in PC Dealer, a Customs & Excise raid on 4 November 1998, which was part of a #10 million VAT fraud investigation, originally triggered its descent into administration. An inquiry into Memsolve's involvement in the alleged VAT fraud continues.

Bernie Wheaton, managing director of Logitek, declined to comment.