The biggest event for the Indian subsidiary of the $26 bn US-based was the acquisition of the #1 Indian distributor Techpac. On a standalone basis, the company grew 47% to touch Rs 2,250 crore.

During the end of FY 2002-03, forming of strategic group such as enterprise & systems and software, had paid rich dividends for the company, which contributed 12-13% to the overall turnover, and almost 30% in gross margins. The Systems division grew by nearly 56% from Rs 385 crore in 2003-04 to Rs 599 crore last year, thanks to the booming consumer PC business where MNC brands gained a lot of recognition over the assembled, as prices narrowed between the two. Revenues in software grew by a whopping 64%, the new product lines contributing for it.

HIGHLIGHTS The Tech Pacific global acquisition vaults Ingram from #3 to #1 distributor in India Strategic initiatives such as TOPS a buy-back scheme also helped the company to grow Revenues from software jump 64% Maintained its leadership in network products Merger with Tech-Pac can have teething problems with conflicting product lines Needs to retain Ingram's aggression even after India chief 's exit l Start-up Year: 1996 l Products & Services: PCs, notebooks, servers, UPS, inverters, gaming kits l Branches: 37 l Dealers: 9,000 l Address: MF7, Cipet Hostel Road, Thiruvika Industrial Estate, Ekkatuthangal, Chennai-600097 l Tel: 22333071 l Fax: 223331751 l Website: http://ingrammicro.com

In networking, the company garnered Rs 214 crore, while it made Rs 200 crore in FY 2002-03. The peripherals business also registered a modest growth from Rs 550 crore to Rs 641 crore in 2004-05. Services was a new opportunity area for the company where it made Rs 406 crore.

Vesta computer sales grew by 405, while HP and Samsung brands emerged as clear winners contributing 30%. The company gave up its notebook business mainly because of frequent fall in prices and cut-throat competition triggered by multi-national brands. It registered a decent growth with other product and component ranges including servers, UPS and business card readers. Other strategic initiatives, such as TOPS-a buy-back scheme-also helped the company to grow.

Ingram Micro grew not only in revenues, but also in size over the last year by acquiring another leading distribution company-Tech Pacific. The combined entity will stand at Rs 4,000 crore, and could enter into the Top 5 club (first IT distribution company to get into the space, in the league of giants such as TCS, Wipro and Infosys) next year. Together, the distribution giant now boasts of having products and services from over 55 leading IT vendors, and more than 12,000 resellers in its network. Krishnan Jaishankar, the CEO of Tech Pacific India, takes over the reigns as managing director of the merged entity. SP Rajguru, who was handling the operations at Ingram Micro India as COO, was appointed senior director (Sales) in the new entity. Rajguru has recently announced his resignation from Ingram Micro.