Avnet buys U.K.-based electronics distributor Acal

By Colleen Taylor, Contributing Editor -- Electronic News, 9/27/2007

Electronics distribution leader Avnet Inc. has once again added to its growing global presence; the Phoenix, Ariz.-based company announced today it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire the IT solutions division of Britain-based electronics distributor Acal plc.

Financial details of the acquisition have not been disclosed. According to Avnet, the closing of the transaction is subject approval by Acal shareholders and EU merger control clearance.

With the acquisition, Avnet said it gains an additional 2,000 Acal resellers and system integrators as well as 180 employees experienced in the design and installation of solutions addressing storage networking and document management requirements. 

Avnet said that the acquisition of Acal "will bring to Avnet a value-added services unit providing network infrastructure planning and implementation and training as well as technical support." The company also said that the transaction will also provide Avnet with access to a new market segment through Acal's headway technology group, which specializes in the design and installation of document imaging solutions that include high-quality document scanners, optical character recognition tools and affiliated hardware and software.

The Acal acquisition is just the latest addition to Avnet's growing arsenal of Europe-based distribution assets. Earlier this week, Avnet announced it had entered into an agreement to acquire the Berlin, Germany-based passive components distributor Betronik GmbH.

In July, Avnet acquired U.K.-based interconnect, passive and electromechanical (IP&E) distributor Flint
Distribution Ltd.  And in November 2006, Avnet bought ESCO Italiana a Monza, Italy-based semiconductor and embedded systems specialist distribution company.


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