Computacenter continues Euro shopping spree

UK's largest reseller buys its way into Switzerland

Computacenter's European shopping spree shows no sign of slowing down, with the mega-reseller snapping up long-time Swiss ally Damax.

The Hatfield-based VAR has agreed to pay an upfront cash sum of CHF7.2m (£5.4m) to grab an 80 per cent stake in the firm. The company's founder and chief executive will retain the remaining 20 per cent for the time being.

But Computacenter will pay a further CHF3.2m to assume total control of Damax by the end of 2014, subject to certain performance criteria being met.

The UK's biggest reseller has previously worked in the Swiss market, using Damax as a "significant subcontractor of services". Computacenter hopes today's acquisition will "strengthen its long-term relationships" with its client base in Switzerland.

Background lowdown
Damax is the VAR's third acquisition in mainland Europe this year. In February, a fee of €21m (£17.6m) was paid for Paris-based Top Info, while in April the UK channel mainstay laid out €4.9m on German Apple specialist HSD Consult.

Computacenter's performance so far this year has also been characterised by success on the continent, while market conditions in its home country remain difficult for the VAR.

In Q1 2011, a double-digit revenue spike in France helped offset a 23 per cent decline in product sales in the UK. In the following quarter, Germany overtook the UK as Computacenter's largest sales territory, as kit revenue in this country continued to feel the pinch.