Midwich, the multi-award winning, specialist audio visual (“AV”) distributor to the trade market with operations across the UK and Ireland, Continental Europe and Asia-Pacific, today celebrates its 40th anniversary.
Established in 1979 by husband and wife David and Ruth Watson, Midwich Computer Company (“the Company”) initially sold computer components and supplied BBC computers to schools and colleges. In 1991, the Company was sold to Memec PLC, an Oxfordshire-based distribution company.
In the mid-1990s the Company decided to focus on trade only customers and started to sell AV products.
Following a management buy-out in 2001, the Company grew rapidly and decided to focus on the AV, market. In 2006, Midwich started a programme of acquisition, focusing initially on building its range of specialist AV products, and latterly using acquisition to enter new geographical markets.
In 2009, Midwich entered Ireland, its first overseas market, through the acquisition of AV distributor, Square One. Over the next ten years the company has expanded across most of Europe and now has a strong presence in the Asia Pacific region.
In 2016, Midwich celebrated a milestone when it was admitted to the London Stock Exchange’s AIM market with a market capitalization of £165m and became Midwich Group plc. The Group’s development has continued apace following its flotation, with turnover increasing by over 80% and the net profit doubling.
Midwich now employs 900 people across the UK and Ireland, Continental Europe and Asia Pacific and has a large and diverse base of over 17,000 customers. For the full year 2018, Midwich generated £574m of revenues.
Stephen Fenby, Managing Director of Midwich Group Plc, said:
“I would like to congratulate all of my fellow employees on today’s anniversary. Midwich has grown phenomenally since its inception to become one of the world’s leading specialist AV distributors. It has been an amazing journey, with Diss at the very heart of the operation, as we have expanded into new sectors and new markets, welcoming new businesses and new employees into the Group.
Our success is down to our people, their expertise, commitment and the relationships they have built with our customers and vendors. “
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our employees, our vendors, clients and partners for their continued support. We are seeing exciting growth opportunities across all our markets and geographies and we look forward to the future with confidence. Here’s to the next 40 years of Midwich!”
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Media enquiries: For more information, please contact Ben Thompson on 01379 647 546 or email ben.thompson@midwich.com.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MidwichLtd
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/midwich/
History of Midwich
2019
2018
2017
2016
2014 - 2015
2013
2012
2006 - 2010
2000 - 2005
1995 - 1996
1979 - 1987
About Midwich Group
Midwich is a specialist AV distributor to the trade market, with operations in the UK and Ireland, Continental Europe and Asia Pacific. The Group's long-standing relationships with over 400 vendors, including blue-chip organisations, support a comprehensive product portfolio across major audio visual categories such as large format displays, projectors, digital signage and professional audio. The Group operates as the sole or largest in-country distributor for a number of its vendors in their respective product sets.
The Directors attribute this position to the Group's technical expertise, extensive product knowledge and strong customer service offering built up over a number of years. The Group has a large and diverse base of over 17,000 customers, most of which are professional AV integrators and IT resellers serving sectors such as corporate, education, retail, residential and hospitality. Although the Group does not sell directly to end users, it believes that the majority of its products are used by commercial and educational establishments rather than consumers.
Initially a UK only distributor, the Group now has 900 employees across the UK and Ireland, Continental Europe and Asia Pacific. A core component of the Group's growth strategy is further expansion of its international operations and footprint into strategically targeted jurisdictions.
For further information, please visit: www.midwich.com