Sony drops two UK projector distributors

Sony has axed Maverick and Computer 2000 as distributors of its projector range

The vendor, which will now be left with Micro Peripherals and Midwich, confirmed that it would still work with the two distributors with its other product ranges.

Phil Gaut, general manager of business sales at Sony, told CRN: “We need a focused distribution model for the projector range, and there is a lot of money in running four distributors. We are not looking to take cash out of the channel, we would rather put some back into resellers,” he said.

“Midwich and Micro Peripherals have a very wide reach, so I am sure there will not be a problem for VARs to source products,” he added.

Jon Sidwick, managing director of Maverick, said the two companies had been discussing their future.

“We’ve been trying to work out if we are suitable trading partners. Sony felt that what we required was not something they could deliver, and we felt we couldn’t engage with Sony the way they wanted us to,” he claimed.

He said Sony’s projector sales accounted for one per cent of Maverick’s overall business. “It just wasn’t worth the effort that it would have required from either of us to continue with the relationship,” he added.

Darren Lewitt, divisional director at Midwich, said: “Sony has made it clear that it wants to change its channel and put more profit back for resellers and this is part of that process. By working with just two distributors, it will get more focus.”

Separately, Sony announced last week that it was cutting seven per cent of its global workforce, or almost 10,000 staff.