Action to spruce up for stock market

Action Computer Supplies is on course to make its stock market debut this summer.

The UK-based catalogue reseller has appointed the merchant bank Charterhouse to sponsor its full market listing and has specialist accountants and lawyers in place.

Action's stock market ambitions have been an open secret in the trade in recent years, with the company known to be targeting #100 million sales before it floats. Financial director Martin Scart has successfully navigated two companies to flotation, including pub chain JD Wetherspoon.

A representative of financial PR firm Dewe Rogerson said the timing of the flotation depended on market conditions. 'Action is achieving its targets,' he said.

Action was named the UK's best direct IT supplier in 1994 and 1995 in customer surveys compiled by Kew Associates.

The company grafted an extra #20 million turnover on a fixed cost base with the 1993 acquisition of Dixons' catalogue business for an undisclosed sum. This purchase accompanied an upturn in Action's fortunes.

In the early 90s, Action was backed by assets held by chairman and co-founder Henry Lewis, mostly in shares in Wall Data, where he remains a non-executive director.