Ingram pulls out of sale to Compu'Train

Dutch training outfit Compu'Train's attempt to strengthen its UK presence was thwarted when it was dumped by Ingram Micro as preferred buyer of its training arm just hours before the contract was due to be signed.

As revealed in PC Dealer (29 July), Ingram was due to complete the sale to Compu'Train, Holland's largest Microsoft accredited trainer, as part of its efforts to expand its City base.

But Ingram signed a deal earlier this month with Ireland's Horizon Technical Services, a training company with a small distribution unit.

Jeroen van Hilten, managing director of Compu'Train, said: 'The only thing that was left to do was for me to put my signature on the contract.

As far as I was aware, we had agreed the deal in the morning and were ready to sign. It was a sure thing as far as we knew.'

He added: 'I am disappointed. I have heard a lot about why and how the deal did not go through but I'm still not sure of the reasons why it failed.'

Bruce Esworthy, finance director at Ingram Micro, said Compu'Train lawyers had made changes to the contract that highlighted issues still to be debated.

'Horizon accepted the contract so we signed with it,' he added.

Patricia Fitzgerald, managing director of Horizon Technical Services UK, said: 'The handover has already taken place and business will continue as normal.'

Van Hilten said Compu'Train would be making attempts to acquire further training companies. He added the industry was undergoing consolidation which would result in quality training.

The training market is seen as the most acquisitive sector in the industry; Comtec, CTEC and SHL have recently changed ownership. Observers said prices paid for training companies are beyond their considered value a few years ago.