User:Richarg

WAM Europe
WAM Europe Limited are part of the Westcoast Group, one of the largest IT and consumer electronics distributors in the UK with a turnover of over £1.2bn in 2013. WAM focus specifically on providing solutions for end of line, returned, recalled and distressed consumer electronics and computer inventory on behalf of major retailers and suppliers.

History

WAM were formed in 2004 as a joint venture between Howard Strowman, CEO of PST and Joe Hemani, CEO of Westcoast Ltd. At that time Peter King also joined the newly formed company as General Manager.

Beginning life as Westcoast Asset Management Ltd, the business started operating from offices near Spencer’s Wood in Berkshire. In the early days the team were focussed predominantly within the IT sector trading in PC’s, Laptops and some consumer electronics. Both new and refurbished stocks were sourced from many retailers and manufacturers and the fledgling business began to grow rapidly. A small refurbishment facility was also established at this time concentrating on PC’s and Laptops.

Since inception WAM have grown consistently year-on-year and in 2013 the business delivered record sales. This success has been built on a constantly changing combination of trusted suppliers and customers. A key part of that success has been the ability of the business to adapt to new opportunities and exploit new growth markets such as tablets, headphones and digital TV products. Also, a changing customer portfolio over the last few years has seen a growing number of larger national retailers trading with WAM.

In 2011 WAM moved into the main Westcoast offices in Theale, and have since become a valuable part of the Westcoast proposition.

Category evolution

WAM began trading initially as an IT specialist reflecting the expertise of their team and their supplier and customer base at that time. Over the course of the last decade WAM have entered into many more categories within the electrical sector and now trade in everything from headphones and tablets to speakers and DAB radios. WAM have been responsible for bringing a number of high volume products to market at substantially reduced prices, such as the Polaroid Pogo mobile printer, which was bought from the original Polaroid Company and became a market leading product for WAM.

WAM today

Based in Theale, Berkshire, WAM continue to provide comprehensive inventory solutions for manufacturers and retailers, managing their excess, end-of-line and returned inventory.

Key management

Today, WAM are managed by a long-serving team comprising Peter King as Managing Director and Jack Strowman as Sales Director. Max Strowman became a Director in 2013.

The sourcing team comprise personnel who have gained experience with many of the traditional retailers such as Dixons, Comet and Richer Sounds and also with new online businesses such as Groupon.

The sales team have many years of experience within the industry and many of the UK’s largest retailers now count WAM as a key part of their supplier portfolio.

External Links

www.wameurope.co.uk www.wamdirect.co.uk www.westcoast.co.uk