SDG stresses business as usual

The week after announcing it is set to be acquired by Tech Data, Birmingham-based distributor vows to carry on as normal

SDG EMEA head Paul Eccleston (pictured) has stressed it is business as usual until the firm's takeover by Tech Data is given European regulatory approval.

The firms revealed last week that Tech Data was acquiring SDG, IQ Sys and ISI Distribution in the UK, ETC and Best’Ware in France and ETC in the Netherlands for about €277m.

If the sale gets the go-ahead, the two distribution giants hope it will be completed by Q4 this year.

In the official Tech Data statement released last week, the global giant hinted that the SDG buy would "strengthen Tech Data's enterprise business Azlan, as well as its broadline offerings in Europe."

Speaking exclusively to CRN, Eccleston said the deal, when given the go-ahead, will give SDG in turn "the opportunity to accelerate our vision for high-value distribution."

"We can do more of what we are already doing, and do it faster," he said.

He confirmed he would stay with SDG and make the move over to Tech Data.

"The two companies share a very similar vision and the whole management team is very excited about the future," he said.

Eccleston stressed that it was of utmost importance that service continues as normal for its loyal vendor partners and customers.

"For all those vendor partners that have been loyal to us as a business over the past 25-year period, we want to repay that faith in the future," he said. "We want to make sure we deliver to them in the short, medium and long term. There will be no disruption to customer service whatsoever."

See Monday's issue of CRN for the full lowdown.