Info'Products set for Allium merger

Merger KNP BT continues its European consolidation plans.

KNP BT is set to merge its Info'Products unit with French reseller Allium - following the recent management shake-up in the Dutch reseller's UK subsidiary - as it moves to consolidate European operations.

KNP BT is currently in talks with Societe Generale - joint and equal owner of Allium with KNP BT - to obtain a majority share in the merged company. KNP BT's share should rise to 75 per cent if the merger is successful.

The move will bring the French dealer under the umbrella of KNP BT's Information Division, which includes both Info'Products and Compu'Train.

Further consolidation of KNP BT's companies in the UK with others in Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain is also expected.

It is understood that the merged company will be run by Marc Brike and John Pfeffer, the two managing consultants now in charge of Allium. They will take over from Huib Winkel, Info'Products UK interim managing director.

The objective is for all eight Info'Products trading companies to become part of Info'Products Europe. An industry source said: 'The company wants to be seen as one business rather than separate European trading companies.'

Norman Kough, Info'Products UK sales director, confirmed the consolidation aim behind recent company changes. 'The strategic objective of the business is to trade as one company,' he said.

Last month, the Dutch parent announced it was selling off its packaging arm. It is also seeking reseller acquisitions in Germany.

In January, the company lost its Compaq SSP accreditation and warned that 1997 financial results would be below expectations (PC Dealer, 11 February), due to the integration of Simmons Magee, the reseller it bought in April 1997.