Like other big distributors, Ingram sees growth ahead this year. While the data center segment is “still a little bit soft,” areas like storage and security are strengthening and what Robinson calls the “everything at home” phenomenon is far from played out.
“It’s where we’re working. It’s where kids are going to school. It’s where we’re working out. It’s where we’re shopping,” he notes. A year after the arrival of COVID-19, all of those activities are still driving technology purchasing. Despite the closure of many small businesses since the start of the pandemic, moreover, SMB revenue has been solid too. “It’s really held up,” Robinson says.
The only thing Robinson sees possibly slowing momentum this year is a global shortage of raw materials and sub-components, like processors, that’s currently giving hardware makers supply chain headaches. Those will persist through the end of the year, he predicts, but not materially impact Ingram’s financial performance.
“I believe there’s still enough demand and that we’ll be able to bring in enough supply,” Robinson says. “We’re still optimistic about the results we’ll be able to drive in 2021.”
