Refurbished Cisco kit dealer Network Hardware Resale (NHR) is opening the doors to its first UK office next week.

The US-based giant will have six people based in Richmond, west London, serving the UK and Ireland from 13 March.

Robert Wolthuis, EMEA general manager for NHR, revealed that his company’s UK business had grown by more than 25 per cent last year and he expected similar growth this year. “We are confident that we can have a unit in the UK that will be successful on its own. We want to be closer to our clients,” he said.

Competitors World Data and Network Liquidators recently withdrew from the UK, with the latter citing customer indifference as the reason for the closure of its UK office.

“I do not understand why Network Liquidators did not stay,” added Wolthuis. “I think there are possibly other reasons. But the timing is good for us to enter the

UK market because we have such critical mass right now. This is good for resellers, they will have more contacts, opportunity and access to our inventory,”

Terry Maguire, managing director of refurbished PC supplier Computer Remarketing Services and a member of the UK advisory board for the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive, welcomed NHR’s entry into the UK.

“NHR sees an opportunity here and anything that adds legitimacy to the refurbished market is a good thing. This market is a sleeping giant, but things such as the WEEE regulations are beginning to raise awareness,” he said.