Technology Reseller v42

01732 759725 08 NEWS : DISTRIBUTORS DCC creates North American business unit for recent acquisitions Holdan acquires Intro 2020 Midwich Group company Holdan, a specialist distributor to the professional video and broadcast sector, has acquired the business and certain assets of Intro 2020, a specialist UK and Ireland distributor of photo and pro-video equipment brands such as CamRanger, Cokin, Cotton Carrier, Hoya, Kenko, Lenspen, Op/Tech, Plustek, Samyang, Slik, Steiner, Summit, Tamrac and Velbon. Allan Leonhardsen, Managing Director of Holdan, said: “Intro 2020’s extensive imaging portfolio and established client base in the professional photography segment is extremely attractive to Holdan as they perfectly complement our broadcast & professional video offerings. Strategic acquisitions such as this allow Holdan to take full advantage of emerging segment crossover opportunities to maximise revenue going forward.” Cradlepoint boost Tech Data is boosting its Cradlepoint partner recruitment drive with the allocation of additional resources and the appointment of Philip Goater to the newly created role of Cradlepoint business development manager. Since forming a partnership with Cradlepoint in November last year, Tech Data has recruited more than 25 resellers to the vendor’s multi-tier channel programme and supported them in completing sales of the company’s wireless 4G LTE and 5G WAN solutions. Cradlepoint business development manager Philip Goater was previously business development manager for Maverick AV Solutions, Tech Data’s specialist audio-visual business. https://uk.techdata.com/ EOS for EGIS Channel services group SYNAXON UK has added European Office Supplies to its EGIS stock availability, pricing and order management platform. The agreement enables Synaxon partners to open an account with European Office Supplies, check stock availability and pricing for its full range of office and print supplies online 24/7 and place and manage orders. https://synaxon-services.com/ Brightstar changes name to Likewize Brightstar, a global specialist in end- to-end device lifecycle management, distribution and repair, is highlighting its transformation from a mobile phone distributor to a complete tech protection and support provider with the adoption of a new name, Likewize. The rebrand follows a billion dollar investment in new systems and services and overseas expansion, including the acquisitions of WeFix and LucidCX in the UK and an investment of £50 million in a new call centre and handling facility in Crewe, with the creation of 700 jobs. Likewize CEO Rod Millar said: “Over the past decade we have undergone a fundamental transformation, from a distributor to a tech protection and support company. We knew it was necessary to change the brand to accurately reflect this profound shift. Likewize offers a much stronger sense of our identity and what we want to accomplish.” Today, Likewize has operations in over 30 countries and four key specialisms: Tech Protection (tech insurance, extended warranty); Tech Repair; Tech Renewal (trade ins, recycling and certified devices, logistics and supply); and Tech Support. Tech Data adds its expertise to sustainable fashion project Tech Data is joining IBM, the UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT), the Future Fashion Factory and various retailers in the development of a technology platform designed to increase transparency within the fashion and textile supply chain. The nine-month Sustainable Supply Chain Optimisation project has been set up to address a fundamental lack of transparency and visibility across the fashion supply-chain that makes it difficult for organisations to implement more sustainable practices and for consumers to shop more sustainably. The project aims to show how emerging technologies like blockchain and AI running on the IBM Cloud can overcome data silos and create a shared system of data that different parties can trust and act upon. This, it is hoped, will enable interested parties to gain a much better understanding of where and how each garment’s fabric was processed and finished, by whom and in what conditions, while also helping to reduce waste, for example through better monitoring of production processes and flows. The Sustainable Supply Chain Optimisation project has been awarded £1.4 million in funding by Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, on behalf of the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF) Manufacturing Made Smarter Challenge. Neil Cornish, Business Manager of Tech Data’s Ecosystems Programme UK, said: “We are delighted to offer our experience in supply chain management and technology platforms, our expertise in new technologies such as IoT, artificial intelligence and data analytics, and our deep relationships with retail ecosystem partners to this exciting project. Our team is looking forward to working with the consortium to develop and deliver a sustainable, transparent and efficient solution for the UK fashion and textiles industry.” Other parties involved in the project include retailers Next, H&M (COS brand), N Brown and New Look and yarn manufacturer Laxtons. https://uk.techdata.com/ DCC Technology has formed a new business unit, Exertis North America, to manage the operations of its recent acquisitions, Stampede and Jam Industries. The unit will be led by Marty Szpiro, erstwhile President and CEO of Jam Industries, who will serve as President & CEO. Jam Industries, renamed Exertis/Jam, will be led by Stuart Frenkel, who has been promoted from CFO to President. Stampede, rebranded as Exertis in 2020, will operate under the Exertis Pro AV banner led by John Dunne, its President and Managing Director. Exertis entered the North American market in 2018 with the acquisitions of Stampede, a Buffalo, New York-based nationwide Pro AV distributor, and Jam Industries, a Montreal-based Pro Audio, MI and CE distributor in Canada and the US. Since then, both businesses have grown organically and through acquisitions, including those of JB&A in San Francisco and The Music People of Hartford, CT in the last 12 months. Tim Griffin, Managing Director of DCC Technology, said: “DCC Technology has established leadership positions in selected value-added distribution specialisms in North America. The rebranding of Jam Industries to Exertis/Jam is a natural next step as we continue our focus on our people, our vendors and our customers. We have a great team in place and the journey has just begun.” www.exertis.com Marty Szpiro Allan Leonhardsen Neil Cornish