Computacenter hails 2019 as 'one of its most successful years'

Acquired businesses help drive 17 per cent revenue growth

Computacenter has hailed 2019 as "one of its most successful years in its history," with revenue, profit, earnings per share and cash generation all at "record levels".

The reseller said that total revenue for the group grew by 17 per cent, or three per cent excluding sales generated through acquired businesses.

"The results of 2019 set a high bar for the business as we go into 2020.," it said.

"However, we go into the year with confidence, helped by the strong momentum within the group and the broader market.

"We have multiple growth drivers. Geographically, we have expanded our footprint; technologically, we continue to develop our capability in areas such as networking, security and cloud; and in services, as we continue our long-term investment in the development of our portfolio of propositions."

Sales were "broadly flat in the UK", the firm said, adding that gross margin in technology sourcing increased because some low-margin deals were reported on an agency basis under IFR15.

The firm said the US business responded well in H2 after a tough start to 2019. It paid down £30m of the debt facility taken out to finance the FusionStorm acquisition, earlier than planned, leaving £56m remaining.

"Continued good growth" was seen in Germany, it added, particularly in the public sector, despite a slowdown in the market. There was however a "substantial slowdown" from what was Computacenter's largest customer in 2018. The French business made its largest ever contribution to the group.

The reseller also said that it will be able to develop its Dutch business, which it acquired from Misco, "more effectively" this year having integrated it into the group ERP system and management structure in November.