Westcon Buys Voice Expert Ronco

Westcon Group Inc. has acquired a fellow distributor that makes the company the largest reseller of Nortel Networks voice and data products in North America, and strengthens its presence in the voice market.

Westcon Group said on Monday it has purchased the Buffalo, N.Y.-based distribution arm of Ronco Communications and Electronics Inc. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Westcon executives said they bought Ronco for its proficiency in the voice market.

“The acquisition of Ronco Distribution substantially increases our reach into what we believe is a high-growth market: convergence technology, said Lynn Smurthwaite-Murphy, vice president of sales. Ronco has years of expertise, a loyal customer base and very deep technical knowledge similar to our own, albeit in voice.

The new operation will be called Ronco Distribution and will continue to be managed by Kurt Ruesch, who has been named vice president and general manager of convergence for Westcon.

Westcon also specializes in the distribution of Avaya Inc. and Cisco Systems Inc. products.

Westcon Group Inc. www.westcongroup.com