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 is on course to be a good year"
35. Smithie UK
Revenues: £18.5m (+2%)
Headcount: 12
Specialism: Storage
Key vendors: Samsung, Asus Global, Philips & Lite-on Digital, Asbis Enterprise PLC, Amitra net (Pioneer), HikVision technology, Anker Technology, Apacer, VERBATIM
HQ: Basingstoke
Warehouse size: 10,000 sq ft
Founded in 2003 by Shane Hilden, this storage and components distributor saw revenue rise two per cent to £18.5m in its year to 31 October 2020. It counts Samsung among its major vendors.
Q&A with MD Shane Hilden
What specialism is your firm known for, and what sets you apart from your peers?
Optical and SSD. My senior sales team have been with me for 25 years - plus they know their stuff.
Which emerging vendors are you betting big on this year?
Anker Technology (home security)
Have you made any significant vendor signings in the last 12 months?
Yes, two: Hikvision entry level storage and Anker Technology Home security.
What's the biggest misconception about distribution?
How [people] think it's all about the price!!
How would you summarise the health of the distribution sector in 2021?
I can only go by Smithie: we had a good start to 2021.
Do you expect to grow in 2021?
Well, 2020 saw over £200k leap in profits and 2021 is on course to be a good year.
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?
The cloud needs the products we sell!! It's been great.
How do you see the role of distribution changing in the 2020s?
Be honest; look after your customer.
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