CDW buys Berbee Information Networks

CDW, a provider of technology products and services to businesses, government and education organizations, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Berbee Information Networks, a privately held information technology solutions provider.

According to a CDW statement, the sale price is about $175 million in cash. CDW said it expects the transaction to build on 2007 earnings by about $0.05 per diluted share.

The acquisition is expected to close by the end of October, subject to typical closing conditions including regulatory clearance.

The company said the acquisition will expand CDW’s advanced technology products and services. In addition, the acquisition is in line with CDW’s strategies to expand its customer base, capture a greater share of its customers’ IT spending and increase its addressable market.

CDW said Berbee has an established track record of growth and profitability through the delivery of services and Cisco Systems, IBM and Microsoft IT products. Founded in 1993, Berbee’s areas of expertise include network infrastructure and unified communications, systems and storage, security, productivity applications and managed services.

Berbee is a national gold-certified partner with Cisco and a premier business partner with IBM, authorized to sell all IBM server and storage lines. It also has six Microsoft gold certifications.

“Our customers’ IT challenges are increasingly complex – customers want easy access to technology solutions,” said John Edwardson, CDW chairman and chief executive officer, in a statement. “We are committed to being the best in class, single source for both core technology needs – and now with this acquisition, more advanced IT services and solutions.”