Feature

Sonepar enters the UK with Routeco

Sonepar, a leader in Electrical Distribution with operations in 40 countries and turnover of €16bn, has entered into an agreement to purchase the shares of Routeco Group Holdings.

25/09/2014 15:30:35

The transaction, which is subject to approval from competition authorities in Austria, is expected to close during the fourth quarter of 2014.

Founded in 1978 in Milton Keynes, Routeco has become one of the leading distributors of industrial control and automation products and services in the UK with annual sales of €135m.

Routeco has been a Rockwell Automation authorised distributor since 1992 and serves its customers via 13 branches across the UK. Routeco also has operations in Austria and in the Netherlands.

Routeco will continue to operate as a separate business unit within Sonepar Northern Europe. Routeco's CEO, Ian Stewart and his existing management team that has driven the development over the last 25 years will remain in place.

Routeco will continue to work closely together with Rockwell Automation and will be supported by Sonepar to improve the value proposition to its customer base, through the provision of support in terms of complementary lines, supply chain services and e-commerce capabilities.

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.