PCM, a business-to-business platform for IT management and services, recently announced that they would be launching a new European and UK-based practice this year. They also officially drew attention to the professional that they would be placing at the head of the new operations.
The California-based company noted that the latest expansion into Europe has emerged on the heels of its highly beneficial expansion into Canada, which took place in 2015 with the acquisition of Systemax’s TigerDirect, and Acrodex. According to PCM, the UK aspect of the business should be ready to employ around 70 people by the close of 2017.
Expanding the European Presence
PCM noted that the expansion into Canada played out perfectly according to their plans, and they believe that moving into the UK is simply an extension of that step. According to Frank Khulusi, the CEO for PCM, they’re going to be careful and methodical about their decision to grow their European presence.
The company believes that having bricks-and-mortar locations within Europe should help to expand the credibility and image of the brand, in the eyes of consumers around the globe. Additionally, the expansion should give the business access to capabilities that they didn’t previously have. PCM are also planning to pursue new opportunities with consumers across the EU, and the UK.
The New Managing Director
On the 1st of February 2017, Donavan Hutchinson was announced as the managing director for PCM in the UK. He’ll be responsible for designing and developing the game plan for growth throughout Europe, and in the past, Hutchinson has been responsible for the creation and brokerage of the strategy that led to the collaboration between Kelway and CDW, which paved the way for a full acquisition in 2015.
In an interview regarding the latest events, Hutchinson said that he was thrilled to be bringing his track record of success and experience to PCM. He feels that the brand will be able to expand successfully across Europe and the UK. Although PCM could have entered the UK market by making significant acquisitions, they chose not to do this, and felt they could acquire better results with an organic approach.
A Focus on the UK
Apparently, the largest focus in the European Expansion will be on the UK, according to Khulusi, as the transactions and regulatory markets are very similar to the procedures in North America. However, the company has plans to continue growing sales outside of the UK and throughout the rest of Europe too.
PCM noted that they have devoted a lot of effort and time during the first quarter of this year to establishing a European operation, and hiring a managing director, while filling other leadership roles has helped to prepare them for this moment. PCM expects to spend around $4 million on its UK launch, and believes that the operation will be turning a profit by 2018.
