Axed Mac supplier refocuses on Net NT

Computers Unlimited acquires majority stake in distributor B4.

North London distributor Computers Unlimited (CU) has finally. diversified from its focus on the Macintosh with the purchase of a majority stake in a Milton Keynes wholesaler of NT internet products.

CU would not reveal the price it paid for its stake in B4 Systems, which specialises in software and peripherals products for Windows NT-based networks, the internet and intranets. CU will retain all eight of B4's staff, keeping its sales and marketing functions in Bletchley and moving administration staff to CU's Colindale base. B4 will function as an independent subsidiary of CU and James Sanson, managing director of CU, will take a place on its board.

The increased focus on NT products will fill a hole left in CU's line-up after the distributor lost the right to supply Apple's hardware last year.

CU, which prided itself on being Apple's value-added distributor, was axed, to the surprise of the Mac channel, leaving Apple with two broadline distributors, Computer 2000 and Ingram Micro.

A representative for CU claimed the prime motivation behind the investment in B4 had nothing to do with the loss of the Apple contract. 'We felt the time was right to increase CU's focus on internet-based products,' she said. 'We still stock products for the Mac environment and we feel that NT-based products are increasingly relevant to the creative space.'

A senior Apple distribution source believed that CU was taking a sensible approach to filling the gap in its product line left by Apple. 'There's growing cross-platform compatibility between the Mac and NT and CU will continue to serve its customer base with these products.'