Avnet completes Bell acquisition

Distribution behemoth folds Bell's EMEA business into Avnet Technology Solutions

Roy Vallee: The acquisition marks an inflection point in Avnet's history

Avnet has completed its acquisition of Bell Micro and has made significant inroads into integrating the two companies.

The $594m deal, which was approved by Bell’s shareholders recently, will see Bell’s Latin America and EMEA business as well as its North American datacentre business be integrated into Avnet Technology Solutions.

The North American embedded business will be integrated into Avnet Electronics Marketing. Avnet also revealed it intends to explore ‘strategic alternatives’ for the single tier reseller business, which had sales of about $450m in 2009.

CRN understands that both Graeme Watt and John Toal have both been given roles in the new structure, as well as Bell Micro’s financial director.

Don Bell, president of Bell Micro is also believed to have stood down and taken on a consultancy role.

Roy Vallee, chief executive of Avnet, said: “The acquisition of Bell Micro marks an inflection point in Avnet’s history as the clear leader in value-added technology distribution.

“Bell Micro is the largest acquisition in Avnet’s history on a revenue basis and substantially improves our global scale and scope competitiveness. It strengthens our position in the Americas and Europe and expands our presence in the fast growing Latin America market.

“We welcome the Bell Micro customers and suppliers as well as the talented employees at Bell who support them.”

Rick Hamada, chief operating officer at Avnet, said: “Bell Micro’s relationships with key hardware, software and services suppliers, further develops Avnet's product portfolio and technical expertise.

“Additionally, Bell Micro enhances our value added solutions for the datacentre and enables us to consolidate our presence in the embedded market, adding to our critical mass and momentum as a leader in embedded technology. With strong customer and supplier relationships, we look forward to enjoying the benefits of the cross-selling opportunities that the merger with Bell Micro brings to Avnet."