R E L A T E D C O N T E N T

Tech Data to enter mobile distribution market through new joint venture

The new company will distribute mobile phones and other wireless devices across Europe

Laura Hailstone, CRN 01 Feb 2007

Tech Data announced today that it has established a joint venture with wireless distributor Brightstar to capitalize on the evolving mobile and wireless device market.

Called Brightstar Europe, the new company will distribute mobile phones and other wireless devices to mobile operators, dealers, agents, retailers and e-tailers throughout Europe.

Both Tech Data, parent company of Computer 2000 (C2000) in the UK and Brightstar will have a 50 per cent joint ownership of Brightstar Europe.

"This is a part of the market that we haven't addressed yet and it's growing massively," Andy Gass, managing director UK at C2000, the UK arm of Tech Data, told CRN. "Rather than us learning form scratch we decided to partner with one of the biggest distributors in that market. We bring them a European focus, and they bring us a raft of vendor relationships."

Brightstar Europe will be headquartered in the UK with access to 10 logistics centers and 16 sales offices across Europe. The company is expected to commence operations in March pending regulatory and other required approvals.

Robert Dutkowsky, chief executive of Tech Data, said: “As the mobile device industry continues to expand, Brightstar Europe will serve as a critical supply chain partner, enabling manufacturers and operators to reduce costs, improve delivery times and invest more in next generation technologies. We are excited about this opportunity to diversify our distribution services and we look forward to Brightstar Europe’s advancement in the market.”

R. Marcelo Claure, president, chief executive and chairman of Brightstar, added: “The European mobile device market is highly fragmented in terms of supply chain and distribution services. We believe that Brightstar Europe will transform service levels provided to operators, retailers and manufacturers, significantly reducing operating costs and improving mobile device delivery throughout the region."