Westcon Group Acquires entrada Kommunikations GmbH

TARRYTOWN, New York and PADERBORN, Germany, July 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Deal Solidifies Westcon's Position as One of Largest Security Distributors Throughout Europe

Westcon Group, a value-added distributor of category-leading unified communications, infrastructure, data center, and security solutions with a global network of specialty resellers, today announced it has agreed to acquire, subject to cartel approval, privately-owned entrada Kommunikations GmbH, headquartered in Germany with additional offices in Switzerland.  Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 1996, with 2010 year revenues exceeding $90 million, entrada is the second-largest value-added distributor of security products in Germany - with a portfolio of solutions that include more than 20 vendors, amongst others: Trend Micro, McAfee, Juniper and Riverbed.  entrada additionally provides customers with a broad array of services -- ranging from new product introduction and sales support to consultancy and training.  Effective immediately, entrada's business will report into Westcon's European Security operations.  

With this acquisition, Westcon adds considerable strength to its German security practice, dedicated to delivering the products, services, and training necessary to help channel partners keep companies safe despite an increasingly challenging environment.  The deal also brings Westcon its first-ever presence in Switzerland.  

"As the largest economy in Europe - and the fifth largest in the world - the German market represents a significant opportunity for us," said Dean Douglas, President and CEO, Westcon Group.  "As entrada is one of the largest security distributors in Germany, today's acquisition gives our European security business a significant presence in this key market."  

"Since 1996, we've built a reputation as owning one of the most comprehensive security portfolios in Germany -- enabling companies to address their most difficult threats," said Robert Jung.  "Entirely committed to reseller and integrator channels, Westcon has proven time and again its unmatched knowledge and expertise of this complex market," added Ingolf Hahn.  "By combining our strengths, we fully expect to not only maintain, but extend our leadership, leveraging each other's vendor and customer relationships," both Managing Directors of entrada Kommunikations GmbH agree.  

"entrada has drawn our interest for quite some time. Although its portfolio has little overlap with ours in Germany, it does include key vendor relationships which we already carry in multiple countries across Europe," said Willem J.H. de Haan, Vice President Westcon Group Europe.  "The addition of entrada enables our security business to better serve our rapidly growing local and global partner base in both Germany and Switzerland."

Westcon Group's security business practice provides all the necessary elements of end-to-end secure technology solutions. Its security, compliance, data center and cloud solutions include complementary best-in-class products -- supported by a comprehensive suite of professional support, operational, marketing and financial services. Westcon Security's global presence and expertise provides unique support and benefits to partners' global projects.

To learn more about Westcon Security and our award-winning portfolio of products, please visit:  http://de.security.westcon.com or http://us.security.westcon.com.  You can also "Like" our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/westcongroup.  To read more about entrada, log-on to http://www.entrada.de/.  

About entrada Kommunikations GmbH

entrada Kommunikations GmbH was founded in 1996 by Ingolf Hahn, Robert Jung and Matthias Nixdorf.  Based in Paderborn, Germany, entrada offers a comprehensive range of products and solutions from 20 of the world's leading vendors in all fields of IT security.  The company cooperates closely with a network of nearly 2,000 IT security providers to configure and implement individual solutions for organizations in Germany and Switzerland.  As a value added distributor, entrada provides a broad service portfolio which comprises pre- and post-sales assistance as well as technical support hotlines and training.

About Westcon Group

Westcon Group, Inc. is a value added distributor of category-leading unified communications, infrastructure, data center, and security solutions with a global network of specialty resellers.  Westcon's teams create unique programs and provide exceptional support to accelerate the business of its global partners.  Strong relationships at every level of the Westcon Group organization enable partners to receive support tailored to their needs.  From global logistics and flexible customized financing solutions to pre-sales, technical and engineering assistance, the company works with partners to respond with agility and speed to changing market conditions so they can achieve the fastest time to revenue.  Westcon Group's portfolio of market-leading vendors includes:  Check Point, Palo Alto, Avaya, Juniper Networks, F5, Cisco, Polycom, and Blue Coat.  For more information, please visit http://www.westcongroup.com.

Media Contacts:

Anne Bourgeois
Westcon Security Europe
+33 (0)1 41 85 10 34
anne.bourgeois@westcon.com

Craig Librett
Westcon Group
(914) 357-1747
craig.librett@westcon.com