Simply Computers axes 39 staff

Warehouse merger for UK systems builder

Reseller Simply Computers has consolidated its UK premises and axed staff to streamline its business.

The firm, which is part of the $1.7bn Systemax Group, has also outsourced its PC system division to Bishops Stortford-based UK Configuration Centre (UKCC).

Les Biggs, vice president of European operations at Systemax, explained that the firm had merged its Walthamstow warehouse with its larger facility in Greenock, Scotland.

"Our Walthamstow warehouse was too small for our operation and was impractical," he said.

The decision is nothing to do with a downturn in business, according to Biggs, who claimed that Simply's business is in fact growing.

As a result of the streamlining process, 39 staff have lost their jobs and a number have transferred to UKCC. Sales and support staff will stay at the Walthamstow site, said Biggs.

Former managing director Kevin McSpadden is to leave the company to "pursue other things".

Analyst Clive Longbottom pointed out that Simply is facing pressure in an increasingly competitive market from the likes of Dabs, Jungle, Novatech and The ComputerWorld.