PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Exclusive Networks Group today announced a new acquisition to transform its capabilities in the Italian market and extend the international and strategic value of vendor relationships such as A10 Networks and Fortinet. Sidin is the country’s leading independent security VAD, and combining its strength with the existing Exclusive Networks Italy business will create a powerful new force in the Italian security distribution market with sufficient critical mass to form a more balanced proportion of future Group revenues which are targeted to hit 1bn€ by 2017.
Best known for its value-adding expertise in IT security, Sidin’s security division boasts annual revenues of around 30m€ from a range of vendors, including A10, Allot and Fortinet. The acquisition means Fortinet solutions are now distributed by Exclusive Networks businesses in 12 territories from Africa to the Middle East and Australia/New Zealand and throughout all major western European economies.
“Italy is a large market, particularly for security solutions, and we’re very positive about investing more here for future growth and success,” said Olivier Breittmayer, CEO of Exclusive Networks Group. “Sidin is a highly respected security distributor with a great team and fantastic relationships across the partner spectrum from specialist VARs to large ISPs and telcos. Their value-adding instinct means they perfectly complement our organically grown Italian business, while the existing relationship with Fortinet underscores our global strategic value with one of the world’s most prominent security vendors.”
The Sidin acquisition also sees Sidin’s General Manager Gian Silvio Galvani take up the position of Joint Country Manager of Exclusive Networks Italy alongside Edoardo Albizzati, who has successfully driven the Group’s local presence since its inception in 2008. Sidin’s Turin based offices and warehousing facilities complement Exclusive Networks’ existing presence in Milan.
“This is a great opportunity to achieve a new phase of growth and realise the full potential of our combined knowledge, relationships and commitment,” said Galvani. “These are exciting times for us all, and I’m sure we can be very successful with the full backing of Exclusive Networks Group.”
“The combined force of Exclusive Networks Italy and Sidin significantly accelerate our growth plans and bring our contribution to Group revenues in line with market context,” said Albizzati. “Their expertise in complementary technologies and added training and support facilities further enhances our position as the only true VAD with an increasingly global presence. I also look forward to driving the business forward with Gian Silvio who, until now, has been a much respected adversary!”