CEE-based distributor ABC Data manages to bring gross margins to record levels in Q1 2017, following a series of efforts to reduce operational costs.

As a result, Q1 2017 sees revenues fall by -4% Y-o-Y to 994.8 million Polish zloty (€236.04m), while EBITDA is up by 19% Y-o-Y to 6.8m zloty. The quarter also has the highest ABC Data margins on sales, reaching 5.9% (0.5% higher than Q1 2016). The traditional distribution business sees 5.7% profit margins, while the value-added business unit reaches margins of 10%, in part thanks to the acquisition of storage specialist S4E.

"The first quarter is a breakthrough for the company's results," CEO Illona Weiss says. "At the end of 2016, [we implemented] actions aimed at optimising costs, [which has] brought the assumed effect right now and will become even more apparent in the coming quarters. In addition, business decisions and intensive work carried out in key areas of e-commerce, cloud, mobile, and VAD translate into the financial results of the group."

Belgian VAR giant Econocom goes on a shopping spree as it announces the acquisition of 3 European firms-- AV player BIS, consulting services outfit LP Digital Agency and a 40% stake in education supplier JTRS.

Ridderkerk-based BIS employs 220 people across the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, and the UK. It claims 2016 revenues worth €50m, and holds top badges with Polycom and AMX as well as partnerships with Microsoft and Cisco. Econocom says the acquisition allows it offer services, products and solutions, and technology management and financing, across the 5 "priority countries," namely Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy and France.

N. American solutions provider PCM makes its way to Europe with the opening of a UK-based subsidiary, PCM Technology Solutions UK (PCM UK)-- a move described as a "next major step" in PCM's global expansion.

Set to officially open on 2 May 2017, PCM UK should start operations on Q2 2017. It hopes to achieve "considerable scale" and employ around 90 co-workers by end 2017. Leading PCM UK is managing director Donavan Hutchinson, who joined PCM on February 2017 to help develop and create the PCM UK offering.

Storit, the holding company of CMS Distribution, announces a record fiscal 2016 with revenue increasing by 82% over 2015 to £325 million. Profits are up by 126%, reaching £12.3m.

"Our Enterprise business continued to outpace the market, driving strong growth in security, information management, storage and open source technologies, along with our Retail channels, which also delivered high growth," CEO Frank Salmon says. "As our customers continue to deliver innovation around digital transformation, the business portfolio continues to drive change and open doors to new thriving markets.”