PC Connection, PC Mall Make Acquisitions

In the space of nine days, two computer catalogers — PC Connection and PC Mall — announced acquisitions.

On March 26, Merrimack, NH-based PC Connection reported that it was buying $219 million MoreDirect, a Boca Raton, FL-based e-procurement supplier of IT products to businesses and the government. MoreDirect will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of PC Connection and will keep its name.

The next week, on April 3, Torrance, CA-based PC Mall announced its purchase of virtually all of the assets of fellow computer cataloger Pacific Business Systems (PBS). The $84 million PBS produces the ClubMac catalog.

“With the majority of their current sales derived from their outbound direct marketing sales force, the PBS acquisition is aligned with the focal point of PC Mall's business strategy,” PC Mall chairman/president/CEO Frank Khulusi said in a statement. “PBS and PC Mall also use the same enterprise software, which simplifies the integration of the two companies and speeds the realization of any potential synergies.”

Khulusi also said that the $718.1 million PC Mall “will continue to look for acquisitions.”