TPLC may take Fujitsu name

Sun reseller considering switch to Fujitsu brand.

Sun reseller TPLC is considering switching its name to the Fujitsu brand following its parent company ICL's decision to rebrand under the Japanese name.

Formerly called Technology, TPLC claimed any such changes would not affect its business model or portfolio of suppliers.

The news follows the announcement last month that the 33-year-old ICL brand will be renamed after its parent Fujitsu in March 2002.

The change will allow ICL to ride on the back of Fujitsu's global marketing, but the structure of ICL will remain intact.

Gordon Shortreed, a director at TPLC, confirmed the business is in talks with both Fujitsu and ICL, but stressed that any changes at the firm would be based on long-term discussions.

"There are ongoing changes within ICL and Fujitsu. In the coming months there will be fairly lengthy discussions. TPLC is a unique brand, and ideally I would like to see it remain unchanged.

"Sun is happy with what's going on. In ICL's case there is a benefit in changing its name to Fujitsu, because it makes more funding available. Ultimately, it will all be about generating cash," he said.

Former TPLC employee Simon Welch, group marketing manager at rival Sun reseller Clarity, said he thought the decision to rebrand could lead to problems for TPLC, by causing conflict with existing suppliers.

"Fujitsu Siemens-branded Solaris equipment could be sold alongside Sun's, and I will watch the future with great interest," he said.

ICL is the UK's third largest software and IT services supplier, but in its last financial year, ended March 2000, the business made a £70m loss on a turnover of £2.8bn.