Simply Computers subject of takeover speculation

Global Direct, part of the US catalogue and stationery giant, is in talks to buy East London's favourite off-the-page reseller, Simply Computers, according to industry sources. With UK offices in Greenock, Global Direct is expected to announce the takeover within the next two weeks. Speculation has been rife since before Christmas that Simply was up for grabs. One source within the reseller/assembler channel, said: "I've been hearing about this constantly since I got back after the Christmas/New Year holiday." Global Direct is a distributor for a whole range of products, including printers, modems, software, accessories and furniture. It was established in 1987, and is part of the US-based Global DirectMail Corp. Simply Computers is a well known PC assembler and reseller. Its turnover was £50 million for 1995/96, with £70 million projected for 1996/97. Both companies denied there was any substance to the rumours. ®