Ingram Micro buys hardware recycling outfit CloudBlue

Ingram Micro has forked out an undisclosed sum to buy CloudBlue Technologies, a global provider of enterprise IT asset disposition, onsite data destruction and e-waste recycling services.

CloudBlue, which runs a UK-based processing centre in West Sussex, was founded in 2008 and provides secure and sustainable reverse logistics to over 1,000 customers.

Based out of Norcross, GA in the US, it claims its services reduce the risk, cost and complexity associated with securely managing IT assets and consumer electronics throughout their lifecycle in compliance with environmental and data security regulations.

It will now operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ingram Micro, with CEO and co-founder Ken Beyer moving across to become an Ingram VP, reporting to EVP of global logistics, Robert Gifford.

Ingram Micro CEO Alain Monié said the acquisition reflected the growing importance of compliant data security practices and environmental responsibility.

“The addition of CloudBlue to Ingram Micro allows us to meaningfully expand our supply chain solutions portfolio with a full suite of in-demand services that reduce the risk, cost and complexity associated with securely managing IT assets and consumer electronics throughout their lifecycle in compliance with environmental and data security regulations,” he said.

“In addition to cross-sell opportunities into Ingram Micro's OEM partners and existing base of more than 200,000 customers, we expect to benefit from new revenue opportunities within CloudBlue's existing blue chip customer base, given our global reach,” he added.

Beyer said: “We believe we can leverage Ingram Micro's global footprint and strong reputation to significantly accelerate our growth, and we look forward to contributing to their strategic goal of expanding the company's portfolio of higher-margin, value-added business services.”