Distributor Gen-x IT has partnered with US optical networking vendor MRV Communications to help it grow its footprint in the UK market.

The Manchester-based distributor will be holding a series of seminars on MRV’s portfolio for resellers and end users. The first seminar will be held at Manchester University on 25 February.

Alan Gould, managing director of Gen-x, said: “The MRV contract forms an important part of our company’s strategy to move into the distribution of technology-led niche networking products. Further contracts are in the pipeline; expect at least one more announcement in the first quarter of 2009.”

Stuart Williams, UK vice president of sales at MRV, said he was: “Delighted to be working with Gen-x, which will be bringing a proactive sales focus and opening new channels of business for MRV’s customer base with particular focus on northern-based opportunities.

“The forthcoming seminars are a proven means to communicate the selling points of MRV’s range of WDM and Metro Ethernet Optical Transport Solutions, along with introductions and design assistance with all MRV technologies.”