Latest news with #Westcon-Comstor
Channel Post MEA
24-06-2025
- Business
- Channel Post MEA
Westcon-Comstor Celebrates 40th Anniversary
Westcon-Comstor has shared a series of industry trends that will define its focus in the coming months and years as it marks its 40th birthday and commits to helping create a future-ready IT channel. Founded on 24 June 1985, today Westcon-Comstor employs about 3,700 people globally and achieved record gross sales of US $5.24 billion in its latest financial year (FY25). The distributor has published the channel trends as part of the launch of its Future Ready initiative, which is designed to enable channel partners in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region and beyond to stay ahead of rapid technological change and evolving market dynamics. The key trends identified by Westcon-Comstor as driving the growth and transformation of the channel are: MSPs and specialised partners are emerging as hybrid's real winners Hybrid enterprise environments will prove to be a goldmine, but only for managed service providers (MSPs) and other partners who succeed in building and selling services that allow them to own the 'glue' layer spanning automation, security, governance and data flow between platforms. 2. Cybersecurity is now a business function, not just an IT concern Cybersecurity has outgrown the office of the CISO (Chief Information Security Officer) and is now part of the CFO's risk model, the COO's continuity plan and the CEO's brand reputation calculus. The most effective channel partners won't just sell security tools, they'll help align security with enterprise priorities, from compliance and business resilience to risk management and M&A readiness. 3. AI-driven data orchestration is redefining the role of the channel As AI becomes the brain behind data movement, the channel is evolving and partners are transitioning from infrastructure enablers to intelligence enablers. The smart money is now focused on building adaptive data fabrics that learn, respond and optimise in real time. The partners who successfully ride the AI wave will be those who master the intersection of AI models, data governance and multi-environment orchestration to deliver not just efficiency, but foresight. 4. The cloud channel is here, and it looks very different Success in the cloud era requires new motions, new models and new skills. Cloud marketplaces, partner-to-partner (P2P) selling, usage-based billing and ecosystem co-selling are transforming how the channel works. Partners must now embed themselves into hyperscaler programmes, drive consumption growth and deliver value-added services. The key to success for partners in this new world is to view hyperscalers as platforms, not suppliers or rivals. 5. AI Is forcing a network rethink, and the channel holds the blueprint As enterprises embrace AI workloads, real-time data and distributed compute, static networks are no longer fit for purpose. The opportunity for the channel lies in helping customers adopt intent-based networking, zero-trust architectures and network observability at scale. This is the beginning of a new arms race, and the partners who triumph will be those who can design networks that think, heal and secure themselves. 6. The SMB digital wave is the channel's next global growth engine With rising cybersecurity risks, cloud-native apps, AI tools and remote work becoming baseline requirements, millions of previously underserved small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) are entering a new phase of digital urgency. Channel partners who deliver repeatable, scalable and automated solutions – backed by vendor support and distributor orchestration – will unlock a vast, margin-rich opportunity. 40 and Future Ready Westcon-Comstor will be exploring these trends in more detail as part of its Future Ready programme through research, interviews with partners and vendors and insights from channel leaders. 'Marking 40 years is a proud moment for everyone at Westcon-Comstor and is an opportunity to both reflect and look to the future,' said David Grant, CEO at Westcon-Comstor. 'Our channel partners and vendors are operating in a rapidly changing market while pursuing their own business transformation journeys. Our focus is on helping them become future ready, so they are prepared for tomorrow's challenges as well as today's. Our Future Ready initiative is the perfect way to spotlight our heritage along with our forward-facing priorities and our dedication to enabling sustainable, long-term success across the channel.' 'We believe being future-ready means staying close to our partners' and vendors' realities, investing in the right tools, platforms and capabilities, and keeping our eyes on the horizon,' added David Grant. 'This anniversary is a foundation for what comes next as we look to accelerate our journey to becoming the world's leading specialist value-added distributor across cybersecurity, networking and cloud.' 'Our 40th birthday as a business comes at a time of rapid change for the IT channel and the broader tech ecosystem across the MEA region,' said Rakesh Parbhoo, Executive Vice President, Middle East and Africa at Westcon-Comstor. 'Through our Future Ready programme, we're making it our mission to ensure that our partners and vendors stay ahead of the curve by seizing the opportunities presented by the trends and growth drivers we've identified. As we look to the future, distribution will continue to play an increasingly strategic role in driving partner and vendor success. I believe Westcon-Comstor is well equipped to be at the forefront of this shift.'
Techday NZ
09-06-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
Westcon-Comstor & Juniper boost Starship with sales support
Westcon-Comstor New Zealand and Juniper Networks have announced a partnership to donate a portion of sales to Starship Children's Hospital. Under the 'Sales that Transform Lives' initiative, Westcon-Comstor will donate 1% of every Mist sale in an effort to support children's healthcare needs through Starship, New Zealand's national children's hospital. The partnership continues Westcon-Comstor New Zealand's efforts to support Starship Children's Hospital. Since 2022, Westcon-Comstor has collaborated with the Starship Foundation—a non-profit organisation supporting the hospital—to raise more than NZD $68,000 through a range of activities such as fundraising events, baking competitions, team building sessions, fun runs, and other campaigns. Funds raised under the new initiative will assist with acquiring lifesaving equipment, supporting critical care services, advancing medical research, and providing family support initiatives. Sales initiative The arrangement specifies that Westcon-Comstor will donate 1% of earnings from the Juniper Mist product line on each sale. This is expected to continue the company's pledge to business initiatives that include charitable giving alongside commercial operations. Dave Rosenberg, Managing Director, Westcon-Comstor, New Zealand, commented on the company's intent to integrate purposeful actions with business operations. He said: "Partnering with Juniper Networks to support Starship Children's Hospital reflects our deep commitment to doing business with purpose. Contributing a portion of our sales is just one way we aim to give back, but more importantly, we hope it encourages others in our community to get behind this meaningful cause and help make a real impact for Kiwi kids." Juniper Networks is joining Westcon-Comstor in this effort, linking the role of technology with broader social outcomes. Ken Lord, Country Manager, New Zealand, Juniper Networks, said: "At Juniper Networks, we believe technology has the power to do more than build networks – it's about connecting people, empowering communities and creating meaningful impact. We're proud to partner with Westcon-Comstor in support of Starship Children's Hospital, with proceeds from our sales directly contributing to the wellbeing of children across New Zealand. Together, we're making every connection count while turning innovation into purposeful action and helping those who need it most." Community impact The fundraising activities correspond to Westcon-Comstor's global Responsible Business strategy, which is structured around commitments to people, the planet, and communities. According to the company, these pillars guide its decision-making processes to ensure positive social impact forms part of its business model. The Starship Foundation reports that demand for services has risen, with a 13% increase in children visiting the hospital over the past year. Jo Simon, Chief Executive Officer of the Starship Foundation, described the importance of continued support: "Over the last year there has been an increase in children coming to Starship by 13%. With a huge demand on services, the work of the Starship Foundation has never been more urgent, more critical, or more relevant than right now and our children need your support more than ever. Every dollar donated helps improve the lives of seriously sick and injured children, so thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your ongoing support." The total funds donated, both past and future, are designated for hospital needs throughout New Zealand, addressing medical care for a wide range of health conditions affecting children, from minor injuries to severe illnesses. Last year, Starship Hospital recorded attendance from more than 150,000 children from across the country. Westcon-Comstor and Juniper Networks state that their joint initiative is intended both to provide resources for critical child healthcare and to serve as an example for others in the sector to engage in similar programmes.
Techday NZ
05-06-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
Westcon-Comstor & Ericsson boost 5G growth in Australia & NZ
Westcon-Comstor has announced a collaboration with Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions to support enterprise connectivity and partner growth in Australia and New Zealand. The agreement is intended to accelerate the uptake of Ericsson's 5G solutions in the region, leveraging Westcon-Comstor's network of technology resellers, systems integrators, and service providers. This development extends the partnership between Westcon-Comstor and Ericsson, which already has a presence in the Asia Pacific region and was recently expanded to Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The partnership's central aim is to enhance the adoption of Ericsson's enterprise-focused wireless offerings. These include Ericsson NetCloud, Cradlepoint routers, and Enterprise 5G solutions, all designed to give organisations access to public 5G, private 5G, and satellite connectivity. These technologies offer security features through simplified SASE and are expected to enable a range of operational and business transformations for enterprise customers. Westcon-Comstor will be responsible for deploying a suite of value-added services as part of this initiative. The services include education programmes, data-driven insights, and training and enablement resources to help channel partners maximise the value of the Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions portfolio. The increasing pace of 5G adoption in enterprise settings across Australia and New Zealand was highlighted by Ericsson. Julie Hens, SVP Global Distribution Partners, Enterprise Wireless Solutions at Ericsson, said, "Enterprise 5G connectivity in Australia and New Zealand is advancing at a fast pace because it is not only a viable alternative to wires but also a key catalyst to business transformation. Ericsson's existing successful partnership with Westcon in other countries is testament that this expanded partnership in ANZ, together with our shared solution providers, will support customers who are on their business transformation journey." Westcon-Comstor's leadership in Australia commented on the significance of the expansion into the Australian and New Zealand markets. Phil Cameron, Managing Director, Australia at Westcon-Comstor, said, "After achieving success in Asia, we're excited to expand our relationship with Ericsson into key markets, such as Australia and New Zealand." The benefits that Ericsson's solutions bring to Westcon-Comstor's partners were also noted in the announcement. Dave Rosenberg, Managing Director, New Zealand at Westcon-Comstor, said, "Ericsson is uniquely positioned to help our partners enter new markets with their world-class private 5G solutions – markets they may have never explored before." As part of ongoing engagement, Ericsson will present its latest technologies relevant to the Australia and New Zealand region at the 2025 Westcon-Comstor's Imagine: Resilient Futures event. Attendees at the event are invited to visit the Ericsson stand to gain further insights into the partnership and the opportunities offered by new 5G capabilities.
Techday NZ
29-05-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
Westcon-Comstor hits record USD $5.24 billion sales in FY25
Westcon-Comstor has reported record gross sales of USD $5.24 billion for the financial year ended 28 February 2025, driven by growth in its cybersecurity division and a continued focus on software and services. This represents a 3.3% increase from its prior year's gross sales of USD $5.08 billion. The company also saw a rise in gross profit, which climbed 9.4% to USD $441 million, compared to USD $403 million in the previous year. Gross margin improved to 22.4% on total revenue of USD $1.97 billion, up from 18.2% for the prior year, as restated to reflect changes in accounting treatment. Adjusted EBITDA for the period reached USD $149.9 million, a nearly 25% increase from USD $120.2 million in the previous year. The adjusted EBITDA margin also saw an increase to 7.6%, up from 5.4%. Cybersecurity products and solutions were major contributors to the company's results, with gross sales in this area rising 19.3% year-on-year. Cybersecurity accounted for 51% of Westcon-Comstor's total gross sales in FY25. The company attributed this growth to expanded partnerships with cybersecurity vendors and the expansion of value-added offerings such as data, enablement, and education programmes. The company's shift from traditional hardware distribution towards software, cloud, and recurring revenue models continued. Hardware accounted for just 32% of total gross sales, while software sales increased 22.2% to USD $2.33 billion. Software now represents 44% of overall gross sales, up from 38% a year ago. Recurring sales – primarily those derived from software and service subscriptions – now comprise 66% of gross sales, compared to 60% last year. Westcon-Comstor highlighted this as part of a broader strategy to adopt recurring revenue models and solution lifecycle selling, reflecting a transformation trajectory shared with many of its vendors and channel partners. The company also reported deepened relationships with its core group of nine main vendors across cybersecurity, networking, and cloud. These vendors accounted for USD $4.20 billion of gross sales, representing 80% of the company's total for the year and marking year-on-year growth of 4.9%, which outpaced overall gross sales growth. Chief Executive Officer David Grant commented on the results: "I'm thrilled to mark another year of exceptional financial and operational performance, with strong progress against our core strategic objectives and a continued relentless focus on delivering partner success. Distribution is evolving and we're proud to be at the forefront of this change, enabling partners and vendors to grow through our suite of value-added services and market-leading programmes. "In a changing world, we are proud to be a future-ready business that combines best-in-class data and digital platforms with deep relationships, leading market shifts and anticipating change to empower our partners and vendors to stay ahead of the curve. I'd like to pay tribute to our 3,700-plus employees around the world for their dedication and creativity. Without our people and the ambitious culture they embody, results like this wouldn't be possible." Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer Callum McGregor added: "With strong fundamentals and positive performance across key metrics, FY25 saw us maintain the growth trajectory that has characterised our business for the best part of a decade. Despite the challenging backdrop of geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty, FY26 offers opportunities for further growth thanks to our healthy sales pipeline, track record of innovation and strong relationships with partners and vendors." The FY25 financials reflect Westcon-Comstor's efforts to align with ongoing changes in technology consumption and delivery models, as the company continues its move from hardware towards software and recurring subscription-based solutions.
Channel Post MEA
28-05-2025
- Business
- Channel Post MEA
Westcon-Comstor Announces Record Annual Sales Of US $5.24 Billion
The gross sales figure for the year ended 28 February 2025 (FY25) represents a 3.3% year-on-year increase (FY24: $5.08bn). Gross profit jumped 9.4% to $441 million (FY24: $403m), with strong and consistent growth in profitability in each of Westcon-Comstor's three operating regions: Europe, Middle East and Africa (MEA) and Asia-Pacific (APAC). Gross margin rose to 22.4% (FY24: 18.2%) on revenue of $1.97bn. Adjusted EBITDA increased by nearly 25% to $149.9m (FY24: $120.2m), with a further improvement in adjusted EBITDA margin to 7.6% (FY24: 5.4%). Gross sales from cybersecurity increased 19.3% year-on-year and accounted for more than half (51%) of Westcon-Comstor's gross sales in FY25. Growth was fuelled by an expansion of collaborations with cybersecurity vendors and the success of the distributor's value-added offerings for partners and vendors, spanning data, enablement and education. Hardware now accounts for just a third (32%) of gross sales as Westcon-Comstor accelerates its transition away from traditional hardware towards recurring revenues based on annual subscriptions and cloud-based Software as a Service (SaaS) models. Gross sales from software increased 22.2% to $2.33bn (FY24: $1.91bn), with software making up 44% of gross sales (FY24: 38%). Recurring sales, for example from software and services, now represent 66% of gross sales (FY24: 60%), as Westcon-Comstor embraces solution lifecycle selling and moves to a recurring revenue model in line with the transformation journey being pursued by its partners and vendors. FY25 also saw the distributor deepen relationships with core vendors across cybersecurity, networking and cloud, with a focus on delivering even greater value by increasing distribution-led sales. This group of nine vendors accounted for 80% of gross sales during the year at $4.20bn, with year-on-year growth of 4.9% outstripping overall gross sales growth. 'I'm thrilled to mark another year of exceptional financial and operational performance, with strong progress against our core strategic objectives and a continued relentless focus on delivering partner success,' said David Grant, CEO at Westcon-Comstor. 'Distribution is evolving and we're proud to be at the forefront of this change, enabling partners and vendors to grow through our suite of value-added services and market-leading programmes. In a changing world, we are proud to be a future-ready business that combines best-in-class data and digital platforms with deep relationships, leading market shifts and anticipating change to empower our partners and vendors to stay ahead of the curve. I'd like to pay tribute to our 3,700-plus employees around the world for their dedication and creativity. Without our people and the ambitious culture they embody, results like this wouldn't be possible.' 'FY25 was a year of strong progress for Westcon-Comstor in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region,' said Rakesh Parbhoo, Executive Vice President, Middle East and Africa at Westcon-Comstor. 'Locally we saw an increase in profitability as our data-driven strategy and unique range of value-added services continued to bear fruit. With talented people across the region, a strong vendor portfolio and expertise in high-growth technology domains, we can look ahead with confidence to FY26 and the longer-term future.' 'With strong fundamentals and positive performance across key metrics, FY25 saw us maintain the growth trajectory that has characterised our business for the best part of a decade,' said Callum McGregor, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer at Westcon-Comstor. 'Despite the challenging backdrop of geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty, FY26 offers opportunities for further growth thanks to our healthy sales pipeline, track record of innovation and strong relationships with partners and vendors.' 0 0
