Broadline IT distie Tech Data (TD) is acquiring Man and Machine's (M2M) wholesaling business for an undisclosed sum to bolster its Autodesk operation.

Formerly Force 10 before it was acquired by Mensch und Maschine in 2000, the distributor of digital design software and hardware will bolt onto TD's CAD/CAM Datech business unit.

"This agreement is further evidence of Tech Data’s strategy to grow its specialist divisions by making selective acquisitions in technology areas and geographies," said TD Europe boss Nestor Cano.

After completion of the acquisition, due in October, Man and Machine will become purely a reseller for Autodesk - a model that was implemented in Germany three years ago - "and we are now rolling out across Europe," said M2M CEO Adi Dortleff. ®