Westcon-Comstor reported strong first-half results with gross sales up 9.8% to US $2.78 billion (H1 FY25: $2.53bn) and higher profitability, driven by cybersecurity growth and a continued shift to software and services-based recurring revenues.
The six months to 31 August 2025 (H1 FY26) saw gross profit increase 13.8% to $246 million (H1 FY25: $216m) while gross margin expanded to 25.1% (H1 FY25: 22.2%).
Adjusted EBITDA saw a 7.3% year-on-year rise to $76.4m (H1 FY25: $71.2m), with adjusted EBITDA margin up to 7.8%.
Cybersecurity continues to be a key driver of Westcon-Comstor’s growth, with the distributor meeting rising demand from channel partners and their customers by leveraging its technical expertise, value-added services and strong and growing vendor portfolio. Cybersecurity sales grew 16% to $1.45bn (H1 FY25: $1.25bn) and represented 52% of overall gross sales, up from 49% a year earlier.
Gross sales from networking and cloud – Westcon-Comstor’s other two specialist technology areas – also recorded year-on-year increases. Software sales climbed 30% to $1.14bn (H1 FY25: $879m) and – combined with cloud sales – now comprise 48% of gross sales, while hardware accounted for 29%.
Gross sales increased in each of Westcon-Comstor’s three operating regions: Europe, Middle East and Africa (MEA) and Asia-Pacific (APAC), with MEA and APAC seeing particularly strong growth.
“In our 40th year, these results underscore Westcon-Comstor’s growth focus, agility and strategic role at the heart of the IT channel,” said David Grant, CEO at Westcon-Comstor. “Powered by our data-driven approach, focus on innovation and world-class vendor portfolio, we are uniquely positioned to drive partner success today while redefining and reshaping distribution for tomorrow. Cybersecurity is now firmly embedded as a key boardroom priority, while cloud adoption is accelerating and unleashing new possibilities for AI in networking. Westcon-Comstor has the capability, solutions and coverage to empower our partners and vendors to deliver unparalleled results in a period of rapid technological change and evolving business models.”
“The first half of FY26 exemplifies the sustainable growth that we have consistently achieved in recent years,” said Callum McGregor, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer at Westcon-Comstor. “With a healthy sales pipeline, strong vendor alliances and opportunities to grow in services and other margin-rich areas, we can look to the second half of the year and beyond with confidence. Regardless of the macroeconomic backdrop, we will maintain our sharp focus on driving partner and vendor success and helping to create a future-ready IT channel.”
“Our strong first-half results in the Middle East and Africa are driven by the hard work and dedication of our teams across the region,” said Rakesh Parbhoo, Executive Vice President, Middle East and Africa at Westcon-Comstor. “MEA’s solid performance across key metrics is making a meaningful contribution to our global growth. The region’s vibrant IT channel and dynamic technology ecosystem – especially in cybersecurity, cloud and AI-driven networking – mirror the momentum we’re seeing in our business. We enter the second half of the year with confidence and will continue empowering partners and vendors to capture new opportunities, helping to build a future-ready channel in MEA and beyond.”
