Pender's Blog by Lee Pender, RCPU Editor

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Tech Data in Acquisition Crosshairs?

We generally try to stay away from rumors here, but we just love this one. Apparently there's a fair amount of buzz that a hardware company -- which one, we don't know, just a hardware company of some sort -- might be looking to buy Tech Data in order to be a bit less reliant on the shrinking hardware market.

OK, here's the real reason why we love the rumor. It comes from Robert Trigaux of Tampabay.com, who is to be lauded for his excellent use of links in his blog entry on the topic. Yes, that's right! The venerable Mr. Trigaux linked to...RCPU! We're "industry observers" who recently noticed Tech Data's financial rebound! Yes!

And it's not a totally unfounded rumor, either. In fact, it has legs. According to Mr. Trigaux, TheStreet.com (there's a video here) has Tech Data on its acquisition watch for several reasons. Those reasons -- more like indicators, really -- include a recent bump in Tech Data's stock price (which this industry observer noted, sort of) and lots of recent sales of shares by company insiders.

Seriously, though, we're thinking that the channel needs an independent Tech Data. That's what we don't like about this rumor -- the thought that it might be true. Tech Data is a distribution monster and a company critical to the success of many, probably most, Microsoft partners. Shoe-horning it into some hardware company's portfolio would likely introduce, at the very least, some serious conflicts of interest and complications for Tech Data itself as well as for the channel players that rely on it.

Of course, all of this is just at rumor stage for now, so it shouldn't be more than a passing concern or a topic of a "what if?" conversation. But, as industry observers, we will, of course, keep tabs on the situation. So, Mr. Trigaux of Tampabay.com and everybody else out there who has a stake in this story, watch this space.

What would happen if a hardware vendor bought Tech Data? What would you think of that sort of deal? How would it affect you? Spill your thoughts at [email protected].

Posted by Lee Pender on October 08, 2009


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