Bechtle claims it has taken “another big step” towards becoming a “top 10 IT solutions provider” in the UK by acquiring Qolcom.
Mainland Europe’s largest VAR claims its UK arm now has consolidated revenues of €290m and 370 staff following its purchase of the £30m-revenue networking specialist.
Based in Newbury, Qolcom has 44 staff and is Bechtle’s third UK acquisition inside two years.
Bechtle said the deal will bolster its UK presence in the Network-as-a-Service space. Qolcom MD Keith Reading will remain on as General Manager.
“The Qolcom team’s knowledge, expertise and strong customer and vendor relationships will add significant strength to Bechtle UK’s position in the mid-market, enterprise and public sector networking and security space,” Bechtle UK MD James Napp said.
“We are excited to start collaborating and view this as another big step towards becoming one of the top 10 IT solutions providers in the United Kingdom.”
The move comes after Neckarlsum-headquartered Bechtle acquired ACS Systems and Tangible Benefit in November 2022 and March 2023, respectively. It now has UK sites in Manchester, Northampton, London and Chippenham.
Ranking 41st in VAR 350, Bechtle last December found a nifty way to boost its M&A warchest, successfully placing convertible bonds with a total nominal value of €300m.
Bechtle recently acknowledged that it does not expect to grow in 2024 following a muted start to the year.
“We have been very successful in expanding our footprint in the British market over the past three years, and our open and inclusive culture certainly has played no small part in that. Qolcom is a perfect match for us—both in terms of its people and its portfolio—and we are looking forward to writing the next chapter in our success story together,” stated Konstantin Ebert, COO, Bechtle AG.
