QBS Group Nears 300 Partners with Deal for German Master VAR Business of Konica Minolta IT Solutions

QBS Group has acquired the Master VAR business of Konica Minolta IT Solutions GmbH in Germany. The move grows QBS Group's partner network to nearly 300 members in 14 countries, and the company sees room for more significant expansion in 2016.

QBS DACH, the company's regional team for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, already has 50 partners from Austria (where they have been active for 2.5 years) and Switzerland (1 year), as well as the newly signed German partners. Adding an official German presence is significant, according to a spokesperson. With over 12.000 NAV customers and some 250-300 NAV partners, Germany is the biggest NAV country worldwide.

QBS Group takes over the Master VAR organization of Konica Minolta IT Solutions GmbH, who in turn had acquired the business from Raber+Maercker GmbH about two years ago. This is the second Master VAR business acquisition by QBS Group. The other was for the Quonext Master VAR business in Spain in 2014.

The company plans to grow more aggressively in 2016, going from "close to 300" currently to more than 400 partners by the end of 2016. They hit 250 in late 2015. They expect organic growth to play an important part in its 2016 plans, according to a spokesperson. Microsoft is urging its smaller partners in Europe to either work directly with the regional order centers or with QBS, the representative said. On top of that, the company could do more acquisition deals this year.

As part of their new efforts in Germany, QBS Group is working to explain to local partners the value of their approach. They have scheduled a road show through Germany in 6 cities over the next few weeks.