ETC lucky number seven for Samsung

Samsung adds ETC as seventh printer distributor to help it reach the public sector

Long: ETC can successfully provide printer products to their resellers

Samsung has increased its UK printer distribution line-up from six to seven with the appointment of ETC.

The Korean vendor already worked with Westcoast, Computer 2000, Ingram Micro, Imcopex, Midwich and Micro Peripherals.

Despite being the seventh on board, ETC, which is part of IT group SCH’s distribution business, is bullish about its prospects and is aiming to swipe 20 per cent market share within six months.

ETC said public sector would be one area of focus for the partnership, citing Samsung’s preferred supplier status on the full range of public sector procurement frameworks.

Sources suspect Samsung is also using the deal to get closer to SCH’s corporate resell arm SCC.

Samsung and ETC have worked together on notebooks for seven years and ETC business unit director Warren Hudson confirmed the distributor will boost its Samsung reseller support team from three to five to support the partnership expansion.

“We plan to attract resellers that are new to the Samsung brand, plus we hope to see all of ETC’s current trading Samsung resellers, several hundred, now sell Samsung’s range of printer products," he said.

James Kight, managing director of VAR Printerland, welcomed ETC’s appointment.

“Samsung is on all the manufacturers’ watch lists as it does not do things by half,” Kight said. “It has a lot of power behind it and a good range of MFPs that are good value for money.”

Alex Tatham, commercial director at Westcoast, which claims to command a 20 per cent share for Samsung printers, was relaxed about ETC’s appointment.

“This reflects the fact that Samsung is the fastest-growing printer vendor out there,” he said.

Graham Long, who was recently appointed as vice president for Samsung Electronics UK and Ireland IT Business, said: “ETC has a great reputation within our notebook PC and netbook reseller community for delivering excellent service.

“We know that by utilising its strong market knowledge, coupled with its large warehouse facilities that will help ensure product supply, excellent relationship with its customers and dedicated support team, ETC can successfully provide printer products to their resellers too.”