newsonline24

• Bechtle further pursues its growth strategy on the European market
• First IT system house acquisition outside DACH
• Significant expansion of market presence in the Netherlands

Bechtle AG today announced the acquisition of PQR B.V. in the Netherlands. First established 32 years ago, the company is well-rooted in the market and centred on B2G customers with a portfolio focus on hybrid cloud environments. Bechtle is thus continuing to effect its acquisition strategy, which, for the IT System House & Managed Services segment, has also included locations outside of Germany, Austria and Switzerland since 2021. Utrecht-based PQR was founded in 1990 and employs 170 staff. Its system house business includes hardware and software resale, IT consulting and managed services, complementing perfectly the Bechtle Group’s current e-commerce business in the Netherlands, which concentrates on the Modern Workplace. PQR predominantly supports public-sector customers, but also those in private industries and achieved revenues totalling around 100 million euros in the last fiscal year. CEO Marijke Kasius and Managing Director Marco Lesmeister shall continue at the company in the same roles. The company name, which is a renowned brand in the market, shall also remain.

“PQR presents a very good opportunity for us as we continue on our path of strategic internationalisation. We have been active in the Dutch market for over two decades and with a new, highly competitive system house, we are now able to unlock further growth potential. To be able to do so with PQR promises to be both a compelling and successful venture,” says Dr Thomas Olemotz, CEO, Bechtle AG.

Bechtle expands footprint in the Netherlands with PQR

With its traditional system house organisation and portfolio, PQR is a seamless fit for Bechtle’s decentralised yet well-connected organisation in the IT System House & Managed Services segment. Until now, Bechtle has had independently-run system house companies at over 80 sites in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. PQR is now expanding the IT company’s reach to include another country market. Marijke Kasius, PQR CEO says, “The merger with Bechtle is good news for our customers and for our team. Both companies’ services perfectly complement each other, enabling us to offer our customers a comprehensive portfolio. After the successful transformation and growth of our services activities in recent years, driven by our team and supported by Dutch investment company Intersaction, which has been shareholder since 2017, I am delighted that PQR and Bechtle are now joining forces.”

Over 700 Bechtle employees in the Netherlands

Bechtle has been active in the Dutch market since 1998, initially with the e-commerce subsidiary, Bechtle direct, but also since 2006 with ARP and since 2007 with Buyitdirect. Last year, the CAD/PLM specialist Cadmes B.V. was also added to the fold. Together with PQR, the Bechtle Group now has a network spreading from Maastricht to Eindhoven, ’s-Hertogenbosch to Utrecht and Hoofddorp near Amsterdam and employs some 715 staff in the Netherlands. “PQR is an excellent fit for Bechtle. Success over the years with many parallels to Bechtle’s, a portfolio that complements our previous business in this attractive market and two corporate cultures that will only serve to enrich each other,” says Konstantin Ebert, Executive Vice President, Benelux, France and the United Kingdom, Bechtle E-Commerce Holding AG.

The acquisition of PQR is still subject to approval by the relevant competition authorities. As is usual, the purchase price and conditions remain confidential.