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CMS Distribution Ltd., is the largest independent value-added distributor of business and consumer technologies in the UK and Ireland. Ireland’s daily newspaper, The Irish Independent, states that CMS Distribution counts 3500 resellers among its customers. CMS Distribution’s 350+ employees also work with over 80 vendors from twelve locations in the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Spain, France, China and Australia.

History

In 1988, Frank Salmon was the first employee of CMS Peripherals in London, which aimed to become the largest independent data storage distributor in the UK and Ireland.

In 1990, Frank Salmon was presented with the opportunity to buy CMS for £3 and a commitment to repay a company loan. With a team of eight employees, turnover had exceeded £1million by 1991. Two years later, CMS Peripherals was launched in Ireland and the next five years saw the team increase to 75 people as turnover reached in excess of £50 million.

By 2006, sales had exceeded £100million and the organisation had been awarded four CRN Channel Awards, two Storage Awards and two ICT Awards for Distributor of the Year.

In 2011, CMS Peripherals acquired Harrogate based CCI Distribution, achieving its aim of becoming the largest independent storage distributor.

Following the acquisition, at the beginning of 2013, CMS Peripherals announced that it would be rebranded as CMS Distribution to better reflect its focus as a channel-only distributor. By the end of the year, CMS Distribution had announced its acquisition of Interactive Ideas, an Enfield based software specialist.

The same year, CMS Distribution opened an Operational Centre of Excellence in Castleford and in 2015, announced that the previous year had been its best yet with pre-tax profits of parent company Storit Ltd increasing 43 percent to £3.2million. In an interview with CRN Magazine, Frank Salmon revealed that there were plans for further acquisitions as the organisation aims to reach its 2020 turnover target of £500million.

Locations

Kiltimagh, Ireland

London, UK

Harrogate, UK

Castleford, UK

Acquisitions

CCI Distribution

In Autumn 2011, CMS Distribution (then operating as CMS Peripherals) made its first acquisition by purchasing CCI Distribution as part of a three-year growth plan to become a €250million revenue company. Immediate benefits of the acquisition included an increase in staff, revenue, locations and brands stocked, resulting in CMS becoming the UK and Ireland’s largest independent storage distributor.

Interactive Ideas

CMS Distribution acquired Enfield-based enterprise software company Interactive Ideas in Autumn 2013 to complement its growing enterprise division. The deal meant that CMS Distribution would benefit from a further 650 customers and ten vendors, creating a value-added distributor with a turnover of £166m and making it the largest VAD in the UK and Ireland.

Charitable Activities

The fundraising activities of CMS Distribution Ltd's employees are matched by the organisation itself. Between 2006 and 2016, these combined efforts raised £80k for numerous causes including those concerned with cancer research and support, community development, child protection, Rett Syndrome, heart disease, education, nature preservation, homelessness, animal welfare, disability support and cystic fibrosis. In addition, CMS Distribution Ltd supports the Junior Entrepreneur programme in Ireland which uses entrepreneurial activities to help primary school pupils develop curriculum-based skills as well as having a significant impact on their confidence and personal development.