Ingram delivers record results

Sparkling sales figures have led to a record profit for the giant distributor

Ingram Micro chief operating officer Jeff Rodek has attributed the company?s record 1996 results to improvements in sales in existing markets as well as new product lines.

The world?s biggest computer distributor turned in a profit of $110.7 million last year, up 31 per cent from $84.3 million in 1995. Net sales were $12 billion, topping 1995?s $8.62 billion by nearly 40 per cent.

Profit for the fourth quarter last year was $33.1 million, an increase of 18 per cent against $28 million last time. Q4 figures also contain a sparkling contribution to the wealth of Ingram?s top management. More than $14 million was recorded as a non-cash compensation charge related to stock options.

Inroads into the US government and education resellers had contributed towards the increase in sales, Rodek said.

Last year the company added 8,800 people to its workforce worldwide, up 12 per cent from the previous year.

About a third of Ingram?s business comes from international sales. Ingram European vice president John Winkelhaus has announced his intention to grow the company?s markets in Europe and the Pacific Rim.

CEO Jerre Stead has also made clear his plans to grow the UK market, predicting ?significant double-digit growth? for next year.

Ingram Micro?s long-awaited initial public share offering last November raised about $405 million by the close of share trading on its first day.

The Ingram family still owns more than 75 per cent of the company?s stock.