Toshiba builds up distribution

Vendor signs second partner in less than a week

Toshiba has signed its second distributor in the space of a week by appointing Midwich to boost sales of its notebook range.

The vendor appointed Northamber last week for the same range, but insisted that its latest appointment will not upset its channel applecart.

Neil Bramley, SME business manager at Toshiba said: "We are looking to address the dealer segment of the market as this is the largest part of the channel."

Bramley also feels that the large notebook market in the UK will enable all distributors on the Toshiba books to gain a valuable margin and insists that the vendor has found the right balance for its channel partner drive.

"We believe we are not over-distributed. We currently have eight distribution deals and I do not envisage adding to this number in the current state of the market," he said.

One source said: "We were aware of Toshiba's plans so it comes as no surprise to us. It won't affect us at all and Midwich will offer them a broader breadth. "

However, Abdul Terry, head of marketing at Toshiba VAR Equanet said the the move could put some distributors' noses out of joint, but resellers could find better deals because of it.

"Former distributors were in a prime position, but now this has been taken away from them. From a reseller point of view we are all for more distribution deals as this offers us more options," he said.