Buffalo breaks in two for networking focus

Memory and networking vendor Buffalo Technology is splitting into two separate business units to increase focus on its networking business.

Memory and networking vendor Buffalo Technology is splitting into two separate business units to increase focus on its networking business.

The Slough-based firm, which is the UK arm of Japanese parent company Melco, has also admitted there could be some job losses as a result.

The company claimed the restructure follows increased market demand for networking products.

A company representative said: "As part of the restructuring, Buffalo Technology has actually increased the number of sales staff. Any staff reductions will be made within the support area."

The representative declined to comment on the number of staff being made redundant.

Buffalo employs 441 people worldwide and supplies products such as memory, flash cards, hubs, Ethernet switches and wireless products, as well as scanners, printers and digital cameras.

Julie Boyle, UK, Ireland and Benelux sales manager for Buffalo, said the move mirrored the "current structure" of parent company Melco.

"Due to the success of our networking product range over the last two years, the business has evolved to a level where the product requires a focused team," she said.

Buffalo has been selling memory into the European market for over 12 years, Boyle explained. She said the company has a "well-established channel" and a "mature market".

Nick Palin, product manager at distributor Computer 3000, said the restructure is good news for his firm. "As a Buffalo distributor we will receive greater support because of the restructure," he said, adding that there is a great market for the product.

"Over the past 18 months Buffalo has had an increased market share in the UK and is competing with entry-level companies such as SMC and DLink," he said.

Also published in Computer Reseller News