UK ITAD slams Arrow for leaving industry and throws lifeline to customers

Arrow announced plans to scrap its ITAD business earlier this month

UK-based IT asset disposition (ITAD) firm Restore Technology has slated Arrow Electronics for withdrawing from the market.

Arrow announced plans to wind down its PC and mobility asset disposition business earlier this month, with some reports claiming it will also scrap the enterprise part of the unit.

The distributor said that the division is not "sustainable".

Restore Technology has now accused Arrow of abandoning its customers.

Steve Talbot, managing director at the ITAD, said: "It's astonishing that at a time when sustainable and secure IT disposal solutions are a top priority for UK companies, Arrow has chosen to cut and run, leaving its customers in the lurch.

"The decision is even more baffling when business leaders are crying out for environmentally friendly services to enhance their green credentials and terrified of falling foul of data security regulation such as the GDPR."

A portion of Arrow's ITAD business was formed by its acquisition of Computacenter's RDC unit.

Computacenter CEO Mike Norris told CRN that there is a chance Computacenter will buy back the business, but said a deal is looking unlikely.

Restore claims it can offer former Arrow customers a "seamless" transfer to its own services.

It claims the ITAD market is seeing a major increase in business following a number of high-profile incidents involving data loss.

Restore CEO Charles Bligh added: "The ITAD market calls for highly secure, dependable companies operating with care and efficiency.

"Our technology business is exceptional in this regard, able to deliver consistently excellent services along with a high level of support and sustainability."