Panasonic: clients and staff of fallen Tempus in safe hands

Vendor outlines plans for support of Brummie VAR's customers, but sources make claims of redundancies and ignored customers

Panasonic has claimed staff and customers at fallen reseller and system builder Tempus are in good hands, after sources voiced complaints to ChannelWeb about the vendor's behaviour since acquiring the firm.

Tempus Computers and its sister company Tempus Developments were placed into administration late last year, following several years of losses and declining sales. The 30-year-old firm made its name selling ruggedised computing devices to the public sector and Panasonic claims there is an installed base of 50,000 European users with Tempus vehicle docks for the vendor's Toughbook PCs.

A statement from the Japanese giant outlines that it "acquired selected assets, patents and intellectual property from the administrators of Tempus".

"We did this to offer support and continuity to our customers," adds the statement.

Following the acquisition, Panasonic now claims to offer 10 docking station models to its inherited customer base.

"[This is] combined with a range of flexible mounting plates and arms and [we] can provide services from concept, design, prototyping and manufacturing through to installation, certification and full life cycle support," added the vendor.

But "disgruntled employees" have contacted ChannelWeb to express their displeasure at Panasonic's management since taking the reins. The sources indicated that staff the vendor had "promised to look after" have been made redundant, while customer relationships have been allowed to stagnate over the past eight months.

"Panasonic came in and promised to help keep manufacturing going and customers happy. Nothing could be further from the truth," said one comment received by ChannelWeb.

"They have ripped the heart out, taking production to Cardiff and cannot even build units correctly. [The attitude is:] ‘We are Panasonic, we know better.' I can assure you, you do not. You're just ignorant and unbelievably arrogant. See sense: admit your shortcomings and let us do things the right way."

Panasonic claimed it could not comment on individual relationships with staff or customers, but did conclude its statement with an upbeat message about building the business.

"Staff and customers of Panasonic's vehicle docking unit can be confident that the business will now go from strength to strength," said the vendor.