Distributors optimistic as Acer reshuffles pack
Vendor left with eight distributors after parting with Northamber in a move welcomed by its partners
Acer’s distributors were faced with a less crowded market last week after the vendor parted company with Northamber and claimed it would not be replacing the distributor.
As revealed by CRN, Northamber’s contract expired on 31 January, (CRN Online, 7 February).
Gianpiero Morbello, Acer’s UK managing director, claimed: “We decided not to renew the contract when it expired. Northamber did not shift as much stock as we needed it to last year.”
With a total of nine distribution and sub-distribution partners, many had felt the vendor was veering towards being distributor-heavy. Acer’s remaining distributors are Computer 2000 (C2000), Enta, ETC, Ingram, Lynx, Micro Peripherals, VIP Computers and Westcoast.
Andy Gass, managing director of C2000, said: “Acer was potentially over distributed. With the departure of Northamber there are still enough distributors to keep things competitive.”
Bhavesh Patel, commercial director at Ingram, said: “Acer, like many other vendors, is constantly reviewing its relationships. It’s good for vendors to consolidate relationships if they have too many distributors.”
Stuart Watson, notebook manager at VIP Computers, added: “We are still developing our relationship with Acer. We have been competing against broadliners so hopefully this will give us more of a foothold.”
Northamber declined to comment.
Separately, Acer is gearing up to launch a range of LCD TVs in the UK and said it would be looking for new resellers to grow market share.
The vendor has also signed a sponsorship deal with FC Barcelona for the remainder of this season and next.
“It is the first time Barcelona has chosen an IT firm,” Morbello said. “It is not a shirt-sponsor deal, but it will create great opportunities for us.”