Avnet Technology Solutions has announced a major shakeup to its UK organisation in an effort to cut costs from the business.
After completing a review of its UK business, the distributor has “determined it necessary to remove costs relating to business services that no longer align with the needs of its partners and/or suppliers to the extent that they are prepared to pay for them,” according to a statement released this afternoon.
This includes the closing of the firm’s Leeds facility, and the re-location of its employees to its Warrington and Haslingden offices.
John Toal, VP and country manager, Avnet Technology Solutions UK and Ireland (pictured) said regretted the impact the downsizing this could have on its employees and their families, and that Avnet “will be working with employee representatives to try to minimise this impact.”
He said: “We remain committed to investing in the areas of our business that are driving growth for our business partners and supplier partners. At the same time, it is imperative that we are decisive in taking action to rebalance our resource requirements accordingly. We will look to take costs out where necessary and at the same time invest in value-creating organic and M&A growth initiatives.”
Elsewhere the downsizing will see Laura Harman, currently responsible for networking and security, storage, wireless and mobility, and unified communications take on responsibility for Avnet’s HP business. Matt Tedstone, enterprise sales director of Avnet Technology Solutions, UK, will “focus attention on areas where Avnet is currently seeing strong performance, including storage and services”.
Paul Cook, who is responsible for general sales, will stand down from his role. Said Toal: “Paul has brought considerable value to the business through his passion and loyalty to Avnet and its customers. He and I have been discussing his intentions for some time, and I’m pleased to confirm that he has agreed to remain in the business until the end of the calendar year.”
Avnet will now enter a 30-day consultation period with the employees affected by the planned restructure.
