Tech Data FZ-LLC, the Middle East information technology (IT) logistics management and distribution company, announced that the supplies business in the Middle East operation are set to get a strong push from its pan-European parent company.
The push, according to Eliot Shepherd, marketing director of Tech Data FZ-LLC, results from new appointments, process streamlining and growth of Tech Data Europe’s supplies division. “The immediate impact that we are going to see in our operations is faster delivery of our supplies requirements from our parent company,” says Shepherd.
“This eventually translates with less stock requirements in supplies in our regional warehouses, faster and more cost efficient deliveries of IT supplies to the regional reseller market,” he added.
A number of new initiatives that will address the needs of specific groups of resellers, such as retailers and SMB resellers, are also being planned by the Tech Data Supplies VBU. “These pan-European programs will be tailored locally to suit the needs of customers in specific countries or regions. As the reseller channel approaches maturity in Middle East, we are working today with our mother company to design programs that help reseller maximize their sales of high-margin products, such as large-format printers, storage and media,” ended Shepherd.
According to a company press release, the Tech Data Supplies VBU has seen its sales grow well ahead of the market as the impact of the company’s centralized business unit model took effect in the past three months. The company has also announced that Klaus Schlichtherle, managing director of the PC Components Vertical Business Unit for Tech Data Europe, is taking charge of the Supplies Vertical Business Unit.
“The centralized supplies business is now fully integrated into the Tech Data organization and we are starting to see the positive results of that,” says Schlichtherle. “We are right on track to achieve our goals and we intend to grow our pan-European Supplies business significantly during 2002.” This growth followed the establishment of the centralized operations and a pan-European Vertical Business Unit (VBU) for the supplies market. In addition, Tech Data has made two new appointments to its centralized Supplies operation.
Tech Data plans to extend the performance to Tech Data FZ-LLC “We plan to extend our lead further this year,” Schlichtherle continues. “Supplies make up a significant part of our overall business and provide additional stability as well as strong growth potential. Fewer people may be buying printers and other peripherals, but they still need to replenish their stocks of consumable supplies on a regular basis.”
This combination of centralized purchasing and logistics, combined with a local presence in every market, makes Tech Data’s pan-European offerings unique says Schlichtherle. “With these strengths we are able to compete, not only with other broadline distributors operating on a pan-European and a national basis, but also with the specialist supplies distribution companies. Our economy of scale and proven business model make Tech Data unique in terms of pan-European distribution.”
Tech Data Europe has a pan-European franchise with Hewlett-Packard. Negotiations are taking place at the present time with a number of additional vendors and the details of further pan-European distribution contracts will be announced soon.
The company’s aim over the next 12 months is to develop a comprehensive pan-European supplies portfolio, says Schlichtherle. “We have a strong portfolio already but over the next few months we expect to make several significant additions to our catalogue that will bolster our leadership position in the pan-European supplies market.”
Tech Data Corporation, founded in 1974, is a global provider of IT products, logistics management and other value-added services. Ranked 95 on the Fortune 500, the company and its subsidiaries serve more than 100,000 technology resellers in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East.
Tech Data’s service offering includes pre- and post-sale training and technical support, financing options and configuration services as well as electronic commerce solutions. The company generated sales of $20.4 billion for its most recent fiscal year, which ended January 31, 2001. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
