Viag AG, the German utilities group, has the right to buy a majority stake in Tech Data, the world’s second largest PC dealer, as a result of selling its 80% stake in Computer 2000 to the US company. Viag CEO Georg Obermeier, who has faced strong criticism from his own managers over the sale, said the company would gain a 20% holding in the Clearwater, Florida company when the sale goes through. Obermeier said Tech Data and Computer 2000 would be stronger together than if they remained independent. But he warned that the PC market was fragile and involved considerable risk. As a result, Viag was leaving its options open, ranging from a withdrawal from Tech Data to an increase in its involvement. Obermeier said that in the longer term, the company planned to list its shares on the New York stock exchange as it wanted to attract more international investors.
