Micro-P buys office supply company

Advent Data Limited purchase strenghtens Micro-P’s position in different market segments says Gerry O’Keeffe

IT and mobile handset distributor Micro Peripherals (Micro-P) has acquired electronics office supplier Advent Data Limited (Advent) for an initial cash consideration of £10.2 million.

Advent primarily distributes a range of consumables including inkjet and laser print cartridges from suppliers such as Brother, Canon, Epson and Samsung.

It also has distribution rights for Dell products – earlier this year Micro P became the only UK distributor with a supply contract for Dell laptops.

Advent’s adjusted operating profit for the financial year ending 31 August 2010 was £3.9 million on revenues of £128.9 million.

Micro-P managing director Gerry O’Keeffe said: “The basis of the [Advent] acquisition was that its a very strong, profitable business and its a very strong cultural fit to Micro-P in the sense that its a good honest distribution businesses that relies on customer relationships and hard pro-active selling.

“The purchase is a great profit stream, a chance for Micro-P to move forward.”