The UK's top 40 IT distributors generated nearly £13bn revenues in their latest years, CRN research has found. Here we count down those ranked 40th to 26th...
"2021 will be a year of growth"
39. Varlink
Revenues: £10.5m (+3%)
Headcount: 26
Specialism: Auto ID and EPoS
Key brands: Zebra, Sunmi, SBV (own brand), Honeywell, Janam
HQ: York
Founded in 2005 by CEO Mike Pullon, Varlink carries over 20 brands in the Auto ID and EPoS space.
According to numbers it shared with us, the York-based firm saw revenues rise three per cent to £10.5m in its year to 31 December 2020, with revenue tracking nearly 50 per cent up in 2021.
Quickfire Q&A with Varlink's Mike Pullon
What specialism is Varlink known for, and what sets you apart from your peers?
Auto ID and EPoS products, supported by incredibly knowledgeable and helpful sales and technical support people
What's the biggest misconception about distribution?
Actually I think that our customers understand the value that we offer and the role we have in the channel.
What's been your biggest disappointment of the last year?
The impact that Covid had on so many people and on so many sectors of the economy.
Do you expect to grow in 2021?
After four months we are 48 per cent up - so, yes, I expect 2021 will be a year of growth.
At first glance, the rise of cloud must be pretty devastating for distributors if there is no physical product to ship. How have you adapted?
As a hardware distributor, the cloud has been positive as a number of our vendors have harnessed its potential and that has driven sales.
Tell us one thing most people won't know about your company?
One of our warehouses was previously occupied by a distributor of gas cylinders and our staff room is housed in the cage that was used to store the gas.
Which distributor's name is Italian for 'cloud'? Find out on the next page...
