Digital Equipment Corp has suddenly become the computer industry’s vacuum cleaner in Europe, sweeping up what is left of all the faded computer businesses no longer wanted by their parents. Having taken control of Mannesmann-Kienzle GmbH and agreed to buy the computer arm of Philips Electronics NV, it has moved on to France where it is to buy the vestigial computer business of Alcatel-Alsthom SA. The unit is part of CGE Composants, in turn part of Alcatel Cable, and sells computer systems to small and medium sized businesses, with 60% its $15m in revenues already coming from DEC products. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
