Storm Technologies confirms small number of job cuts

VAR says modest headcount reductions were necessary after sales plateaued last year

VAR Storm Technologies has made a small number of staff redundant in a move it claims will position it for growth this year.

The Watford-based firm has laid off five of its staff and transferred one to the procurement branch of the business after sales plateaued last year.

One member of staff from each of the helpdesk, software development, licensing, sales and sales support departments were made redundant, but the accounts and engineering departments remained untouched.

Storm's sales surged by more than half in 2011 to reach £56.6m.

The reseller has added 25 staff to the business over the past two years, but claims that slower sales in 2012 meant that headcount had to be scaled back this year.

John Brooker, the firm's managing director, said the decision was made in order to ensure the firm's success in 2013.

He said: "We had a plateau in sales [in 2012] and we are adjusting our overheads. Like any business, [we need to] adapt and adjust. 2011 was stronger than 2012."

He added that the firm, which partners with vendors such as HP, IBM and Microsoft, enjoyed its strongest January ever last month.