US deal 'no closer' - Computacenter CEO Norris

Mike Norris responds to rumours that an acquisition across the pond could be imminent

Computacenter is no closer to completing an acquisition in the US, CEO Mike Norris had told CRN, amid rumours that a takeover could be imminent.

Speaking to clarify industry chatter, Norris (pictured) said that while potential deals are still being explored, nothing remotely concrete is in place at the moment.

CRN had previously spoken to Norris about whispers of a potential takeover in December, with San Francisco-based FusionStorm the rumoured target. At the time Norris said that FusionStorm is most likely larger than any potential firm it would acquire.

"We spoke in December, so obviously there were rumours in December," Norris said.

"I do not deny - and I'm on public record saying this - that we have been looking at things in the US, and we continue to do so. We are no closer today than we were last December, to completing any transaction in the US.

"That's seven or eight months, and I don't know whether in eight months' time, 24 months' time, or any amount of time this is still going to be rumour, or something will come to fruition."

When pressed on FusionStorm, Norris played down any rumours linking Computacenter to talks with any one firm in particular.

"I don't deny that we are looking at things, and that may be one of them, in the US. There are hundreds of thousands of companies in America.

"They are a company in America and we are looking at companies in America, but I can assure you that it is not close."

Norris previously told CRN that he expects any acquisition in the US to be worth an eight-figure sum.

Computacenter launched into the US in 2017 to serve its European-based customers that have a presence in America.