Kingston invites C2000 for trip down memory lane

Memory vendor Kingston Technology is paving the way for a pan-European distribution strategy, replacing Reading-based Microtronica with broadliner Computer 2000 in its UK distribution channel.

Memory vendor Kingston Technology is paving the way for a pan-European distribution strategy, replacing Reading-based Microtronica with broadliner Computer 2000 in its UK distribution channel.

Alison Heath, UK sales director, said Kingston would make pan-European appointments within six months. "We had not made any changes to the channel for nearly two years and because of the feedback from customers about the service Computer 2000 is offering, I felt we needed to have them as one of our distributors. With reseller customers now going European-wide we saw an opportunity to develop that business."

The appointment has been in spite of concerns about over-distribution and falling prices. Ingram, Datrontech, Northamber and Simms also stock Kingston products and Hammer distributes server modules.

"We did not want to take any more on without making changes", said Heath.

Kingston cut its prices for the third time this year on Monday 13 March. A 64Mb module can now be bought on the spot market for around $5 (£3), said Heath. Memory vendors increased production ahead of Windows 2000's release but the expected surge in sales had not yet materialised. But analysts believe the launch of Windows 2000, which ideally needs 128Mb of Ram, will fuel the recovery of the memory market.

After a sluggish start, the market is showing signs of improvement. First-quarter year-on-year growth in western Europe is expected to be 10.9 per cent.