Distributors circle Noxs for possible acquisition
Arrow Electronics and Ingram Micro believed to be in the running to buy the security distributor
Security distributor Noxs has confirmed that discussions are taking place about the sale of its business, with distributors Arrow Electronics and Ingram Micro believed to be in the frame.
Noxs’s parent company, Netherlands-based Unit 4 Agresso, confirmed in a statement: “Negotiations have started with a strategic candidate on the sale of our internet and security division’s distribution activities [known as] Noxs.” It said the price will be between 50m euros and 60m euros.
Unit 4 Agresso said its business consists of two divisions: Business Software and Internet and Security, with Business Software the larger part of the workforce. The firm added that the Noxs sale will allow it to put more focus on its Business Software division.
Although the identity of the firm courting Noxs has not been confirmed, sources have told CRN that possible suitors include Ingram Micro and US distributor Arrow Electronics, which has also linked with the acquisition of the security arm of distributor InTechnology (CRN, 11 September).
CRN also understands that distributors Westcon and Computerlinks looked at buying Noxs, but decided not to take their interest any further.
Mukesh Gupta, managing director of rival distributor e92plus, said he could not see the motivation behind the sale, because Noxs has been acquiring firms itself.
“It would have to be another big, possibly global player that could afford to buy an organisation the size of Noxs in one piece,” Gupta said.
Ian Kilpatrick, managing director of security distributor Wick Hill, said: “Good luck to Noxs. At that price it should take the money.”
Dave Ellis, director of e-security at distributor Computerlinks, said: “Unit 4 Agresso is a totally different type of business to Noxs, which focuses on security. I do not see much synergy between the two businesses.”
One source told CRN: “50m euros to 60m euros seems expensive. When Allasso was sold it went for 30m euros. Allasso was a similar size to Noxs and was sold when margins were better.”
Grahame Smee, managing director of distributor equIP, said: “We come across Noxs on the [vendor] BlueCoat side. It seems to do a good job, but it is fairly small in the UK.”
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