Azzurri Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary

Azzurri reaches $0 to $100M in 10.0

In the summer of this year Azzurri Technology, the UK based European Technical distributor, will celebrate its 10th year in business by being well on track to record sales in 2007 of over $100M. 10 years ago Mike Carlucci, Glyn Jones, Chris Shipway, Dave Clark, Stephen Cavanagh, Marc Artigas and Jean Louis Filhol all sat around a kitchen table planning how they were going to set up a European Technical Distributor.

“Thinking back we were the typical start up” said Carlucci, Azzurri’s President & CEO. “Our goal from day one was to become the best European Technical Distributor and nothing was going to stop us achieving that goal.” The founders presented a business plan to 3i who did not hesitate in agreeing to fund the start up provided that founding directors personally invested 20% of the initial investment made by 3i. . “The thing to remember for any budding entrepreneur is that you never get something for nothing” said Carlucci. “When a Venture Capitalist (VC) places money into a venture they want to see a return. This is normally by way of Management fees, dividends and return of initial investment and then an exit giving them a good return.

Azzurri started in 1997 in the UK and France, and in August 2000 made its first acquisition - Tekelec Germany, from Arrow. In July 2001 Azzurri started a Greenfield site in Italy and it was not until November 2005 that Azzurri made a further acquisition - Micro Puissance - one of the largest independent French distributors. It was a year later that Azzurri acquired GD Technik, a specialist technical UK distributor. . “Acquisitions help fuel growth but they also bring other problems such as the management time required to integrate the new company” said Carlucci.

Azzurri’s expansion has been achieved through a combination of organic growth and acquisitions. “We are approaching a level where we are gaining some critical mass. Suppliers and customers are beginning to appreciate this fact” added Carlucci.

The real asset over the past 10 years has been our people. Azzurri can only perform as well as its team of people perform. “Our people have been outstanding! The professionalism, dedication and enthusiasm they demonstrate is truly humbling” said Carlucci. “Azzurri has a family feel where people really matter to the company and the company matters to the people. Azzurri is very selective about the people joining the Group in any of the European countries where we operate” added Carlucci. “Getting the same spirit and ethos across Europe is not easy, but I believe we have been fortunate to have achieved this” said Carlucci.

What about the next 10 years. “Growth will continue in Europe. The recent consolidation in distribution that we have seen has given companies like Azzurri a fantastic opportunity” said Carlucci. Azzurri is also expected to open an office in Hong Kong by October of this year. The Hong Kong office will not only track Azzurri’s European designs that move for production in Asia, but Azzurri is also planning to take its successful demand creation model to Asia. Many of Azzurri’s existing suppliers are ready to franchise and support Azzurri in Asia. “It took us 10 years to reach $100M I predict that we will double this in less than 3 years” said Carlucci.