Monday Morning Impact – June 20

Carousel Industries Announces Intent to Acquire Atrion

Carousel Industries has announced an agreement to acquire Rhode Island-based Atrion, Inc., an IT services firm specializing in security, productivity and collaboration, unified communications, networking, applications and integrations and data center solutions.

The transaction will create a combined entity of more than 1,300 staff and approximately $525 million in annual revenue.

“In today’s IT universe, there is a growing synergy between business and IT – making IT leaders increasingly responsible for supporting their organizations’ topline initiatives,” said Jeff Gardner, CEO, Carousel. “As a result, IT leaders turn more progressively to their technology providers as strategic advisors on the solutions and services that will help them best meet their objectives and stay ahead of the innovation curve.”

The acquisition of Atrion is expected to be completed early in the third quarter of 2016, subject to customary closing conditions.

Channel Impact^®
This acquisition combines a strong technology and services position in a manner that is likely to help extend the range of offerings developed by the combined company.

Armor Launches Global Partner Program

Armor, a Richardson, Tex.-based cybersecurity company, has announced the launch of its new “Armor Global Partner Program,” for managed service providers, resellers and technology partners.

In addition to financial incentives, including market development funds and deal registration, benefits include technical and sales training, a partner portal providing access to marketing and sales resources, and access to a dedicated marketing manager and support resource (based on partner program tier).

The company claims more than1200 customers in more than 40 countries.

Channel Impact^®
The program components represent the key elements frequently sought by channel companies in the selection of vendor partners.

Arrow Electronics to Acquire the Technical and Electronics Media Portfolio of UBM

Arrow Electronics has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the global Internet media portfolio focused on technology and electronic design from UBM, including EE Times, EDN, ESM, Embedded, EBN, TechONline, and Datasheets.com.

The news follows last year’s announcement in which the distributor purchased the United Technical Publishing arm of Hearst Media.

“Our internet media is guiding innovation forward by making technical decision making easier for designers, R&D groups, and engineers,” said Matt Anderson, chief digital officer of Arrow Electronics. “This is a step forward in our digital transformation, positioning Arrow as the preeminent, unbiased technology internet media, design, and eCommerce option for companies, from those on Indiegogo all the way to Fortune 500 global leaders.”

Channel Impact^®
With this agreement with UBM, Arrow strengthens its position as a thought leader and trusted advisor in IoT and technology design trends. S distributors look for new ways to strengthen their business models, we may see other players move in the same direction.