Top 40 UK IT distributors you need to know: Part Two

Doug Woodburn
clock • 38 min read

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...

"The demand is there but component shortages may slow us down"

22. EET

UK revenue: £42.6m (-18%)

UK&I headcount: 35

Specialism: Spare parts, hardware

Key vendors: HP, HPE, Dell (spare parts and accessories); Ubiquiti, Cambium, Raritan (network); Star Micronics, Newland, Socket Mobile (PoS and Auto-ID); Evoko, AIRTAME, Aver (Pro-AV/workplace collaboration)

UK HQ: Uxbridge, Greater London

Headquartered in Denmark, this €450m-revenue spare parts and hardware distributor's UK arm turned over £42.6m in its year to 31 December 2019.

An 18 per cent drop in its top line here was due to large infrastructure project delays in its surveillance business and reduced sales of specialised components, the firm told us, adding that it recently consolidated five offices in favour of a new office and logistics facility in Uxbridge (pictured) and office in Dublin.

Quickfire Q&A with UK MD Sunil Bouri

What specialism is your firm known for, and what sets you apart from your peers?

We have always been recognised as Europe's largest spare part distributor. However, we did a rebrand late last year and launched a new website to fully represent our comprehensive product and solution offering across point-of-sale & auto-ID, network, pro-AV/workplace collaboration and surveillance.

Which emerging vendors are you betting big on this year?

We have expanded the range of our own-brand products namely CoreParts, eStuff, Gearlab and Vivolink. Created to extend the lifespan of devices, accessorise and protect mobile products, equip new ways of working and build professional audio visual solutions respectively.

What's the biggest misconception about distribution?

Distribution has fallen into the stereotypes at times but there is no doubting it's fast paced with passionate people who care and strive to do things better each day.

How would you summarise the health of the distribution sector in 2021?

We have already seen how dynamic and resilient distribution can be through Brexit, the pandemic and supply-chain constraints. Technology will keep evolving so we will continue to see growth and further acquisitions.

What's been your biggest disappointment of the last year?

The impact covid-19 has had on people's livelihoods, mental health and families. This has also kept us away from our colleagues and meeting our vendors & customers.

Do you expect to grow in 2021?

Yes, significantly. The demand is there but component shortages may slow us down. We currently have an unprecedented amount on back order with some vendors.

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 has changed the way we consume technology but has helped fuel digital transformation, innovation and of course flexible working. This all still requires hardware.

How do you see the role of distribution changing in the 2020s?

Improved levels of communication, support & education with even more of a consultative approach to help customers and their end users with product selection and solution building.

Tell us one thing most people won't know about your company?

We've planted over 110,000 trees. We are determined to reduce the impact of our activities on the climate and will continue to plant one tree for every five outbound shipments through our partnership with Ecologi.

Which Microsoft CSP grew by a third in its latest year? Find out on the following page...

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