Kalamazoo wins deal to supply Ford network

Birmingham computer reseller Kalamazoo has nabbed a deal worth up to #40 million to supply Ford?s European dealer network with dealer management systems.

Kalamazoo has been named as one of five preferred suppliers for the implementation of a new Europe-wide management system. But the company said it was confident of winning much of the business as it already supplies 70 per cent of Ford?s European dealer network.

The software element of the contract could be worth up to #40 million for Kalamazoo over the next four years. But hardware and training costs could double the contract value.

In an interview with the Birmingham Post, Paul Heaven, managing director of Kalamazoo?s computer operation, said: ?The way we are positioned it is extremely unlikely that any of the Ford dealers we work with would want to go elsewhere.?

Lynx Automotive Systems has also been named as an approved Ford supplier.