|
|
|
17 Jan 2005
Pan-European distributor Actebis has finally appointed a new chief executive, after leaving the position vacant for more than a year. Dirk Hauke last week took the reins of the subsidiary of Germany-based Otto Group.
Actebis last hit the news in 2003, when it faced an uncertain future after a proposed acquisition by rival distributor Westcoast fell through.
Hauke admitted the firm went through a difficult time in 2003 but claimed all issues "were completely overcome in 2004" and that it has "a strong management team in place in each country".
Further reading
When asked whether the firm is still up for sale, Hauke said he is "comfortable with developing Actebis's own strategy" and is poised for organic growth. He added that he would not rule out making "viable" acquisitions "if they arise".
Hauke said: "I'm very pleased with the development that we have achieved over the past couple of years. Margins across Europe were under pressure. Now it is up to us to develop new markets, such as consumer electronics, and work closely with existing vendors."
Graeme Watt, president Europe and Middle East operations at distributor Bell Microproducts, who at one stage was lined up to take the helm at Actebis himself, welcomed Hauke's appointment.
"Bell has a presence in many European countries, and our heartland is the UK. This is different to Actebis, where the UK business, compared with the rest, is quite small.
"By its own admission Actebis is pleased with its progress. It was here a year ago and it is here today, and there is very much a place for it in the market," he said.
Joe Hemani, chairman of Westcoast, said: "Actebis has a strong management team and has managed to recover the confidence of its customers and suppliers. It is very stable and doing well."
Related articles
In this video find out about the fast-growing Chinese vendor's plans for market domination and how the channel is its route of choice
Find out what gifts Acer has in store for partners for 2012 in this exclusive roundup of its recent conference
CRN's premier networking event is back on 17 May at the Ricoh Arena
Date: Thu 17 May 2012
Channel fighters preparing to square up once more on 24 May
Date: Thu 24 May 2012
The proliferation of endpoint devices within the enterprise has highlighted the shortcomings of one of the traditional approaches to data security
This Forrester report compares the costs and benefits of legacy email and productivity software with Google Apps
Dave discovers that rozzers are seemingly living in the technology dark ages
Mark Needham, founder of distributor Widget, argues that John Browett leaves for Apple with Dixons in better shape than when he arrived
|
|
|
Do you agree?
Have your say