Hergiswil (Switzerland), 14 November, 2006
EWG moves closer to number 2 spot in Europe

Founded in October 2002 as the number four distribution organisation in Europe with € 2.5 bn in revenues at that time, strategic alliance EWG has since constantly moved up the competitive ladder in Europe through a mix of organic growth, new partners and acquisitions. Most recently, EWG partner Copaco ( Netherlands) acquired Belgian distributor WestCase, while EWG partner Esprinet ( Italy) has announced its intentions to acquire Spanish distributor UMD and Actebis’ Italian operations. With these acquisitions, EWG in 2007 will reach consolidated net sales of around € 6.5 bn, putting it close to the number two spot in European distribution currently held by Ingram Micro and leaving former number 3 Actebis far behind.

When EWG was founded in 2002 there were critical views on how long this alliance would last. Since then, EWG has consistently moved up the competitive ladder in Europe through a mix of organic growth, new partners, and acquisitions. Most recently, EWG partner Copaco (Netherland) acquired Belgian distributor WestCase, mainly active in Consumer Electronics products. This acquisition considerably strengthens the position of Copaco within Benelux. EWG partner Esprinet (I) has signed agreements to acquire both number four Spanish IT & Consumer Electronics Distributor UMD and Actebis Computer Italia. The UMD acquisition will make Esprinet the number one distributor in Spain with a market share of about 21%, while the acquisition of Actebis Italy strengthens the leadership of Esprinet in the Italian IT distribution industry. Both deals are subject to Antitrust Authority clearance.

“With these acquisitions EWG – the uncontested No. 3 in Europe – will have revenues of around € 6.5 bn in 2007 and move closer to the number 2 spot currently held by Ingram Micro” says Thomas C. Weissmann, President of EWG and CEO of EWG partner ALSO. “Since its inception EWG has thus almost tripled in size, something only few people would have believed possible. At the end of my presidency term I am very proud of EWG’s achievements” he adds.

As EWG moves into a new phase, Alex Sozonoff, Chairman of EWG since foundation, will also take on the tasks of the rotating presidency, previously held by Thomas C. Weissmann. “EWG plays an active part in the consolidation process in the European distribution industry" Sozonoff says. “I am excited by the power and prospects of this organisation” he continues. “In a market which since 2002 has grown in value perhaps 10 to 15% only, EWG’s tripling in size is indeed an outstanding performance” he continues. “EWG has made good on its promise to deliver profitable growth to its strategic vendor partners” he concludes.

EWG was founded in 2002. It offers leading ICT vendors a best-in-class platform to reach more than 60'000 resellers in 14 European countries. The three companies in the alliance – ALSO Holding AG (CH), Copaco N.V. (NL), and Esprinet S.p.A. (I) – in 2005 posted consolidated net sales of € 4.8 bn, making EWG the third-largest distributor in Europe. Together the EWG partners employ a staff of over 2’700 and represent more than 500 vendors. Since its foundation it has concluded cooperation agreements with strategic vendors such as Canon, Fujitsu Siemens, and HP.

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GNT Holding Oy
Mika Junnila, Managing Director