Exertis spurs on SMB resellers with credit line doubling

Up to 1,600 SMB resellers will see their credit line doubled

Distributor Exertis is doubling the credit line it offers to more than 1,600 SMB resellers through its Credit Extra scheme.

Exertis has started contacting a group of qualifying resellers today as part of the programme, which could be worth an initial £20m.

Speaking to CRN Mark Reynolds, B2B sales and commercial director at Exertis, explained that the scheme will run for one quarter to begin with, with the potential to continue beyond this period.

"I've been commercial director for about 15 months and I've just picked up B2B sales as well, so I'm keen to get some initiatives going," he said.

"It's not something that Exertis or Micro-P had previously done although our heritage is absolutely in the SMB space - we have a massive retail business now - so we're keen to emphasise that point.

"I've seen disties periodically launch PR initiatives often with no substance behind them. This has got some real teeth and we can genuinely double the credit line of over 1,600 resellers, so the sales guys are taking that out now."

Reynolds said that there is the opportunity for extensions beyond the initial doubling for partners if they remain within Exertis' credit terms - adding that he hopes the programme will spur on SMB resellers to grow their business faster than they thought they could.

"As you get deeper into the SMB space often they only work with one distributor so credit is obviously critical when running a small business," he added.

"They need that kind of support so we're keen to keep this going. It's not a flash in the pan but it's about taking a structured approach, rather than ad-hoc."