Westcon Group, a value-added distributor of category-leading unified communications, network infrastructure, data center and security solutions with a global network of specialty resellers, today announced the acquisition of the Afina Group through the acquisition of GLS Software and its subsidiaries.
The deal will immediately expand Westcon’s presence in the Latin American, Iberian, and North African marketplaces.
Headquartered in Madrid and Miami and founded in 1990, Afina conducts business across Latin America, the Caribbean, Iberia, France, and Morocco. Focusing on distribution of security and data center solutions, Afina’s vendor portfolio includes VMware, Citrix, Riverbed, and Symantec – as well as many firms currently among Westcon’s portfolio in other regions. Afina Group additionally offers specialized services to support its resellers, including: post-sale support, value-added augmentation, and training.
With this acquisition, Westcon expands its presence in Latin America, Iberia, and North Africa and adds an augmented focus on customer-led services. In addition to bringing greater consistency to the Westcon line card, the agreement will add such strategic vendors as VMware, Symantec and Citrix to Westcon’s portfolio.
“The Latin American market is now entering a highly robust period of IT spending driven mostly by Brazil and Mexico. Most analysts estimate the region will generate more than $310 billion in IT spending in 2012,” said Dean Douglas, President and CEO, Westcon Group. “With the acquisition of Afina, Westcon is very well positioned to capture this momentum – driving market leadership in the local arena and expanding our portfolio of data center and security products.”
“When Afina was launched, the goal was to become the premier distributor in the Latin American and Iberian markets, offering the most comprehensive solutions and services in security and infrastructure,” said Pedro Galatas, Afina Group CEO.
“Westcon has proven time and again its reputation as a distributor with unmatched market expertise and global reach. The acquisition is the right fit at the right time for the company and partners – an agreement that will dramatically power our next stage of growth.”
Westcon Group provides all the necessary elements enabling customers to develop end-to-end data center and security technology solutions.
Its security, compliance, data center and cloud offerings include complementary best-in-class products — supported by a comprehensive suite of professional support, operational, marketing and financial services. Westcon’s global presence and expertise provides unique support and benefits to partners’ global projects.
