Exertis UK has kicked off a staff consultation process with all its remaining staff as it seeks to focus solely on third-party logistics, IT Channel Oxygen has learned.
In what was the largest mass redundancy event in the channel’s recent history, Exertis UK downsized from circa 1,200 to 180 staff in January following its change in ownership.
But less than two months on, it has now begun another 45-consultation period with staff, we understand.
The latest downsizing is connected to Exertis UK’s sale towards the end of last week of its Zstorm gaming brand (whose main business is in Sweden) to gaming distributor CentreSoft, one source told us.
“That means the gaming stock in the UK is going to be wound down. It also means a new consultation period for the remaining employees in the UK has started,” the source – who wished to remain anonymous – stated.
The UK business going forward will focus on providing logistics for a small number of customers, they added.
Channel consultant Alex Tatham confirmed he’d also heard the news.
“I’m very sad for all the existing employees, but wish them all the best – and it’s good to see so many Exertis employees being picked up elsewhere in the channel,” he told IT Channel Oxygen.
The move comes after it emerged that Exertis UK had reopened its voluntary redundancy programme at the end of February, which we understand remains open to all employees.
The former distribution giant concluded a six-week staff consultation process on 23 January, after announcing plans to aggressively cut headcount in December.
At the time, it said it would move forwards as an “independent specialist”, with its focus said to be on retail and gaming.
Exertis UK and private-equity backer Aurelius declined to comment.
IT Channel Oxygen has endeavoured to reach CentreSoft for comment and will update accordingly.
Doug Woodburn is editor of IT Channel Oxygen
