Time to rise again with direct web sales model
Revamped vendor unveils plans to launch web site to broaden its routes to market
The Time Computers brand is to be given a new lease of life through the launch of a direct sales web site on 1 March 2006.
Following the demise last summer of Granville Technology Group, the parent company of Time and Tiny, (CRN, 1 August), Tahir Mohsan and his half brother Dr Tariq Mohammed, the original founders of Time and owners of Granville, have slowly been resurrecting the Time brand under the guise of a company called Time UK Factory.
Brian Trevaskiss, marketing manager at Time UK Factory, told CRN: “A company called VMT, also based at Time Technology Park in Burnley, used to produce all the PCs for Granville. So when Granville went into administration, it had a knock-on-effect and VMT also went into administration. Time UK Factory, which was incorporated in 2002, but only began trading on 8 August 2005, then took on the factory’s lease.”
Time UK Factory produces PCs and plasma TV products for retailers and trade customers, but is about to start a direct sales operation called timeuk.com.
Salim Hasan, director of product development at Time UK Factory, said: “Since last year, our aim has been to have a varied range of retailers and trade customers. The launch of the direct sales arm will provide us with an additional route to market.”
Bill Slater, director of sales for timeuk.com, added: “The factory has had many enquiries from end-users wanting to buy Time products directly and we can now fulfil this need. As a separate sales operation to the factory, we will also be able to sell other leading brands.”
Carolyn Worth, external relations manager at Evesham, claimed: “Time’s credibility is questionable. No one knew who owned what when it went into administration last year.”
Shaune Parsons, managing director of VAR Computer World Wales, added: “It seems rather daft to start up a brand name that has lost so much credibility.”