Exertis, a leading distributor of IT, communication & home entertainment products, has acquired Computers Unlimited, a specialist distributor of products and accessories for Apple, the Digital Home, and Creative Professionals.

Computers Unlimited supplies a wide range of third party branded software, IT hardware and consumer electronics products to over 2,000 partners throughout the UK and Continental Europe. The business employs 200 people and operates from offices in London, Paris and Barcelona.
Exertis is one of Europe’s largest and fastest growing technology distribution and specialist service providers. Exertis partners with 350 global technology brands and over 14,000 resellers, e-commerce operators and retailers across Europe.

The Computers Unlimited business model aligns well with Exertis’ commercial structure and is an excellent strategic fit, bringing new product categories and specialisms to the Exertis portfolio. Computers Unlimited has a best-of-breed range of products sourced from more than 70 leading manufacturers, including Adobe, Epson, Griffin, Incipio, LocknCharge, Microsoft, Nemetschek, Parrot, Sonos, Wacom, and Western Digital. The portfolio of products also includes Flexson, an in-house developed range of accessories for Sonos, which includes stands and brackets, skins, and other innovative complementary products, all of which are sold globally.
The customer bases of the two businesses are highly complementary. Leveraging the expanded market coverage and enhanced product portfolio is expected to provide synergy opportunities in the UK and Europe, and strengthen the platform for further growth.
Niall Ennis, Group Managing Director, Exertis; said

“We are excited at the prospect of extending the reach of Computers Unlimited to the multiple retail channels that Exertis supports both in the UK and in France. This acquisition also extends the Exertis footprint into the Spanish retail sector, where Computers Unlimited has a growing presence.
Likewise, we see significant opportunities to expand the reach of the brands currently working with Computers Unlimited into the Exertis operations in the Nordics and the Middle East.”
Ennis confirmed that everything is very much business as usual and that Computers Unlimited will continue operating under its own distinct brand identity.

“The acquisition of Computers Unlimited with its strong track-record of distributing Professional Creative, Apple (iPhone/iPod/iPad/Mac) and Digital Home products is an excellent strategic fit for Exertis and the businesses’ combined strengths will create new growth opportunities.”
James Sanson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Computers Unlimited said:
“Over the last 30 years, I’m so proud of what the fantastic team of past and present people at Computers Unlimited have achieved for us and our brands. Over that time we’ve launched and built channels for more than 100 brands.

The opportunity to combine Computers Unlimited’s brand and channel building talents with Exertis’ retail, logistics and geographic strengths is very compelling. I’m confident the new combined business can offer a fantastic proposition and strong growth for our current and future brands.”

Contacts
Niall Ennis, Group Managing Director, Exertis Telephone: +353 1 2799400
Email: NEnnis@dcc.ie
Clare Newsome, Group PR Manager, Computers Unlimited Telephone: +44 7866 725702
Email: cnewsome@unlimited.com

About Exertis
Exertis is part of DCC plc, a FTSE 250 company, specialising in international sales, marketing, distribution and business support services, employing over 10,000 people worldwide with an annual turnover of in excess of £10.5 billion. In the financial year to 31 March 2015, Exertis had a turnover of £2.4 billion, and employed over 1,500 people.