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...
"We know everything there is to know about thin clients and Chromebooks"
33. Getech
Distribution revenues: £22.6m (+109%)
Total headcount: 85
Specialism: Thin clients and Chromebooks
Key vendors: Lenovo, Acer, HP, Google, Igel
HQ: Ipswich
This hybrid reseller-distributor told us it drew £22.6m of its circa £48m revenues from distribution activities in its year to 31 December 2020.
Traditionally just a thin client specialist, Ipswich-based Getech's distribution arm generated £9.9m of Chromebook sales last year, according to figures it shared with us, and expects 2021 distribution revenue to hit around £25m.
Quickfire Q&A with managing director Guy Watts
What specialism is your firm known for, and what sets you apart from your peers?
Thin client and Google Chrome solutions and knowing absolutely everything there is to know about each technology.
Which emerging vendors are you betting big on this year?
ControlUp (complete infrastructure management tool for VDi and cloud) and Device Trust (contextual security)
Have you made any significant vendor signings in the last 12 months?
Acer Chrome distribution at beginning of 2020
Largest UK warehouse?
Ipswich: 36,000sqft
What's the biggest misconception about distribution?
That it's all pile ‘m high and sell ‘m cheap. It never has been for Getech; for us it's all about sharing our knowledge with resellers to enable them to offer their users the best value high performing solutions.
How would you summarise the health of the distribution sector in 2021?
Very strong demand for IT and digitalisation has never been healthier.
What's been your biggest disappointment of the last year?
Ipswich Town's failure to gain promotion from league 1
Do you expect to grow in 2021?
Yes, significantly across all divisions and technologies
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?
I don't agree: every solution needs a device, an access route and advice to make it all work, so as digitalisation reaches new markets, the demand for Getech's competency in our niche markets will continue to grow.
How do you see the role of distribution changing in the 2020s?
Digitalisation is complex, and complex solutions need designing and support. The channel will continue to demand ever increasing levels of technical guidance and commercial support from their distributors of choice.
Tell us one thing most people won't know about your company?
Over 30 per cent of our workforce have worked for Getech for 20 years or more.
Which distie has grown from zero to £24m revenue in six years? Find out on next page...
