Esprinet aims to buy big hitter distributors
Italian distribution giant bases an ambitious European expansion plan on acquisitions
Italian distribution goliath Esprinet is sizing up potential UK acquisition targets as part of its planned expansion into western Europe.
In its three-year strategic plan, the Milan-listed broadliner set itself the lofty target of becoming Europe’s third-largest distributor by 2009 and the region’s top force within a decade.
Esprinet already heads the rankings at home and in Spain through its recent acquisitions of Memory Set and UMD. Speaking to CRN, Alessandro Cattani, chief executive of Esprinet, said the distributor will kickstart its expansion by acquiring a top-five in-country distributor in western Europe.
“We have identified four suitable regions: Benelux, France, Germany and the UK,” he said. “We will try to acquire a top-five player by revenue.”
Esprinet, which takes 80 per cent of orders over the internet, claims to have the world’s highest pre-tax profit margins of any distributor. Cattani said acquired companies will keep their management, but will be expected to adopt Esprinet’s business model.
Alastair Edwards, senior analyst at Canalys, said: “Esprinet has to look for a country that is culturally aligned with southern Europe. Actebis is up for sale and would give Esprinet a top three position in France, but I’m not sure it fits with Esprinet’s model of strong financial management and good working capital.”