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 25th to 11th...
"Our own brand Excel is the No1 in the UK"
12. Mayflex
Revenues: £118m (+4%)
Specialism: Cabling
Key vendors: Excel, Hikvision, Avigilon, Axis, Paxton
Headcount: 250
HQ: Birmingham
Owned since 2015 by French electrical product distributor Sonepar, this infrastructure, networking and IP security solutions distributor started off life in 1917 as Mayall & Co, a distributor of Swan kettles.
Accounts for its year to 31 December 2019 show revenue rising four per cent to £118m, with 95 per cent of the total generated in the UK.
Partnering with vendors including Axis and Paxton, Mayflex launched its own cabling brand, ‘Excel', in 1997, before introducing its own line of ‘Aura' AV connectivity products in March 2021.
Quickfire Q&A with MD Andrew Percival
What specialism is your firm known for, and what sets you apart from your peers?
Infrastructure cabling for IoT systems. Our own brand Excel is the No1 in the UK market thanks to its partner programme, business development team, and pre- and post-sales technical resource, and support tools
Largest warehouse?
Excel House, Birmingham 85,000sq ft
Which emerging vendors are you betting big on this year?
Not limited to vendors, but expecting big growth in AI/AR data driven building security/management systems, and body-worn camera systems.
Have you made any significant vendor signings in the last 18 months?
Hikvision in January 2020, Tripp Lite in March 2021 and also in March 2021 the launch of our own brand of AV connectivity products, Aura.
What's the biggest misconception about distribution?
That all we do is add value through credit lines.
What's been your biggest disappointment of the last year?
Birmingham City's continued on- and off-pitch performance.
Do you expect to grow in 2021?
Yes, we always expect to grow!
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?
Our infrastructure products provide connectivity for devices that form part of most cloud-based solutions, and we provide a range of such devices in the form of CCTV cameras, and network attached access control so for us growth in cloud solutions is positive. We are also expanding our focus to look at opportunities in the fit out of datacentres with both cabling and security systems a large part of customer investment in this vertical.
How do you see the role of distribution changing in the 2020s?
We will need to be more digitally competent to meet customer demands for seamless omnichannel experience.
Tell us one thing most people won't know about your company?
We were the first to remove single-use plastic from over 90 per cent of parts sold under our Excel cabling brand, and we have repeated this first in the audio visual connectivity market with the March 2021 launch of Aura.
Which Warrington-based distie ranks 11th in our rundown? Find out on next page...
