Avnet grabs Lenovo x86 deal in UK and Europe

Following completion of Lenovo's purchase of IBM's x86 business in the UK, Avnet bags distribution rights across 18 countries in the region

Avnet Technology Solutions has landed the contract to supply Lenovo's recently acquired x86 server products and related offerings across the UK and Europe.

The distribution giant is already an authorised distributor of Lenovo System x servers and related solutions in North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Asia-Pacific.

But now the deal has been signed and sealed in Europe and the UK (after a month's delay), the distributor will supply products including System x, BladeCenter and Flex System blade servers and switches to 18 countries across Europe, including the UK.

Other countries covered include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Moldova, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland and Turkey.

Miriam Murphy, senior vice president, north region at Avnet Technology Solutions EMEA, said: "A continual dialogue with our partners during the transition from IBM to Lenovo ensured they experienced minimal disruption. Our System x teams remain unchanged and we continue to be committed to supporting customers as before. We’re looking forward to Avnet and Lenovo exploring new opportunities to work together, in particular in the converged infrastructure space."

Massimo Donati, vice president Enterprise Systems at Lenovo EMEA, added: "This new collaboration offers us the opportunity to carry on creating real value for customers, ensuring they continue to see the Server x series as a vital and reliable part of their datacentre infrastructure. Avnet has a long-standing and proven track record in successfully building channel ecosystems globally, and we are going to leverage this expertise to help us implement a clear, scalable channel strategy and create mutual profitable growth opportunities for customers."