The firm last week appointed Paul Shenton, a former Intel channel director, as its new business development manager to push the business forward (CRN, 20 August). Shenton will primarily be focusing on developing sales of the firm’s Meivo LCD TV portfolio, notebooks and its Pakuma accessories range.

Speaking to CRN, Shenton said: “I have known Rock for about seven years during my role at Intel and its ability to diversify and look into new areas of business is the reason it is doing so well. We have a number of irons in the fire and are looking at partnerships with a number of leading retailers. We believe customers are looking for something different and not just another beige box.”

Shenton acknowledged the system builder market has been shrinking rapidly, the most recent casualty being Evesham, which went into administration this month (CRN, 6 August).

“A lot of companies have fallen into the trap of stack it high and sell it cheap, but that model is not sustainable any more,” he said. “The key is diversification. Customers are more astute about what they want to buy. We are not going after the traditional consumer market, we are always looking for new markets.”