HP denies collapse of Magirus talks

Hewlett Packard has confirmed it is still in talks with European enterprise server distributor Magirus to make it an accredited partner, despite rumours that negotiations had broken down.

Hewlett Packard (HP) has confirmed it is still in talks with European enterprise server distributor Magirus to make it an accredited partner, despite rumours that negotiations had broken down.

John Young, HP UK corporate business manager, said the two companies have been in active discussions for the past six to nine months, and that Magirus' strong European record with HP could help ensure successful talks.

"HP is always looking at options for increasing its distribution base. It has one Unix distributor, PSL, in the UK right now but is interested in expanding on this in incremental areas," he said.

"Talks with Magirus are ongoing. I know Tony [Stirrup, joint managing director at Magirus] very well and the success the company has had across Europe stands it in good stead for a partnership. The door is open," he insisted.

Stirrup was upset by recent reports that talks between the two companies had failed. "Failure suggests that the talks are at an end, but this is simply not the case. I speak with John [Young] regularly, and I am optimistic," he said.

"Magirus already has deals in place with HP in Germany and Denmark, and agreed on a deal for France two months ago. So why not the UK? Magirus is interested in incremental market areas. We are not looking at competing with existing partners," he added.

Pieter Waastorp, second joint managing director at Magirus with Stirrup, has also dismissed the claims. "Magirus is constantly in talks with HP and both companies work together across Europe. Neither ourselves nor HP has closed the door [on a partnership]," he explained.

First published in Computer Reseller News