Scribona moves into wireless communication

Scribona moves into wireless communication Scribona Solutions, a value-added distributor of IT infrastructure, has acquired Hardgroup Oy in Finland. Hardgroup Oy, which is expected to have turnover of approximately 20 MFIM in the year 2000, is a supplier of logistics management solutions based on wireless communication for trade and industry. Hardgroup has established partnerships with the leading ERP vendors. The acquisition will strengthen Scribona Solutions' cutting-edge networking competence. Together with the recently closed distribution agreement with Nokia for WAP server products in Finland, the acquisition also opens new opportunities for partnerships with application suppliers. This is a further step towards Scribona Solutions' goal of becoming the top Nordic distributor of advanced IT infrastructure, a market which is expected to show powerful growth with good margins over the next fewyears. Success in this market demands leading products and cutting-edge knowledge about servers, networks and data warehousing, and how these products satisfy customer needs. "The acquisition gives us access to unique expertise, new central customer and supplier relationships and a profitable business in our target area, IT infrastructure", says Örjan Håkanson, President and CEO of Scribona. "Our goal is for Scribona Solutions to expand by up to 40% annually through both organic and acquisition-driven growth over the next few years", adds Håkanson. "The acquisition also provides scope to bolster Hardgroup Oy's customer offer with Scribona Solutions strong products and services in Finland, and gives us a solid platform for future expansion in the other Nordic markets", says Lars Palm, Vice President of Scribona and head of the Scribona Solutions business area. "Through the new owners we can immediately provide our customers with valuable competence in the form of maintenance and traditional IT infrastructure, in addition to satisfying our suppliers' desire to expand in the Nordic market", says Markku Vilpponen, President of Hardgroup Oy. Facts about Scribona Scribona is the Nordic countries' leading trader of IT products and offers its customers cutting-edge product expertise, the industry's leading e- commerce systems, optimized product availability and a wide range of complementary services. Scribona's operations are organized in three business areas: Scribona Solutions - value added distribution of IT infrastructure Scribona Distribution - effective volume distribution of IT products Scribona Brand Alliance - exclusive agent for leading brands For additional information, please contact: Lars Palm, Vice President of Scribona, telephone: +46-8-734 37 10, +46- 706-26 30 60 ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/12/29/19991229BIT00040/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/12/29/19991229BIT00040/bit0002.pdf