Magirus eyes expansion for 2007
Driving growth at the top of distributor's agenda
Driving growth is top of the agenda in 2007 for Magirus as the distributor looks to increase its staffing levels by 50 per cent, and has doubled the size of its UK headquarters.
The firm, which announced last year that it was launching a security division (CRN, 6 November), has also doubled turnover in the past three years. Magirus has since opened new demo and training facilities at its Bracknell offices, and is looking to recruit up to 20 staff.
Andy Binding, managing director UK at Magirus, said: “Magirus had previously not done any training. With these facilities we now have one of the biggest training centres in the UK. VARs can either sell this training as an add-on or use it themselves.”
Binding said the firm is also signing additional vendor partners. “We want to identify new and developing technologies and act like an incubator for new vendors. We already have three new firms on board; Platespin, Vizioncore and DataCore, and are in negotiations with another company.”
Vice-president of the distributor, Christian Magirus has also hinted in reports that the firm is looking to expand its security business.
Binding said the expansion is part of Magirus’ plans to adopt a more consultative approach to distribution.
“As our market matures and margin drops we have to look elsewhere,” he said. “The IT market is solutions driven and we want to help enable our partners and become consultants.”
Alastair Edwards, senior analyst at Canalys, said: “Magirus started this process in its German subsidiary and it is wise to be moving in this direction. Distributors now have to prove that they can offer services and not just talk about it – this is the only way for them to go.”