The company was founded in 1983 by German entrepreneur [[Axel Schultze]]. The company had $2.5 Million in sales in 1984, and expanded from Germany into other European countries by creating subsidiaries and acquiring local distributors. In the early 1990s, Computer 2000 expanded into Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. Within 15 years, the company grew to 2,500 employees and roughly $5 Billion in sales before merging with US-based Tech Data in July 1998.<ref>Sachdev, Ameet (April 15, 1998). "Tech Data buys German company", ''[[St. Petersburg Times]]'', p. E1.</ref> The companies had similar philosophies and products, but acted in different geographic regions.