Rumours fly over Datrontech

Northamber is sitting firmly on the fence amid industry rumours about the purchase of floundering distributor Datrontech.

Northamber is sitting firmly on the fence amid industry rumours about the purchase of floundering distributor Datrontech.

The company, which was rumoured to be interested in buying Datrontech several years ago, is refusing to deny or confirm rumours that it is looking to purchase all or part of the distributor, which went into receivership last week.

Datrontech shares were suspended last Monday, worth just 10p, after Deloitte & Touche was appointed as receiver. Under its guidance, Datrontech will continue to trade until a buyer is found. The firm will either be sold whole or broken up.

"Distributors are having a tough time at the moment," said Andy Cordial, former sales manager at Datrontech, who is now managing director at Upgrade Options.

He said that global distributors seemed to be redefining themselves, and added that the UK distributors should do the same. "Home grown distributors have a lot of catching up to do," he said.

Datrontech, which was set up in the early 1990s by Steve King, comprises several arms including Datrontech plc, Datrontech Retail, Portable Add-Ons and Data Connectivity Services, as well as several shared services and overseas operations.

Rival firms such as Ingram Micro and Computer 2000 have confirmed that they are not interested in buying the company, but have expressed an interest in picking up some of Datrontech's customers. Other firms rumoured to be keen on parts of Datrontech include Arrow Electronics and Actebis.

The company has suffered a number of setbacks over the past year, with major credit insurer Euro Trade Indemnity reconsidering its exposures following disappointing half-year results. A number of high-profile staff have left the company, including chief operating officer Alan Mack.

Assets for sale under the receivers include company stock, fixed assets, the customer lists by sales range (based on year-to-date sales information) and the net book value of debts owed to the firm.

A Northamber representative said: "Northamber is not prepared to comment on what is, at this moment, a highly confidential stage. We cannot make any further comment at this time."

No-one from Datrontech was available for comment.

First published in Computer Reseller News