Public companies miss out on long-term investment opportunities - Dell EMC

Dell EMC EMEA president Aongus Hegarty says the vendor's private ownership means it isn't 'only focused on a 90-day window'

Dell EMC's private ownership means it can focus more on long-term investment opportunites than publically listed companies can, according to EMEA president Aongus Hegarty

Speaking to CRN sister publication Channelnomics Europe at Dell Technologies World in Las Vegas, Hegarty said partners are encouraged by Dell EMC's private ownership, as it affords the vendor the ability to take a longer-term perspective with its channel.

"We are a privately controlled company, which gives you the opportunity to take a longer-term view, invest in the business, invest ahead of the curve, invest in our partners and take a longer-term view with them," he said.

"That has been the most consistent message I've heard back from partners. Along with all the other things they like, it's that we are in an industry that is evolving rapidly, and if you're only focused on a 90-day window being a public company, you miss the opportunity to invest today in the medium and long term. As a privately controlled company, which we've been now for around four years, it is a lot easier to do that."

Rumours have been swirling since the beginning of the year that Dell is weighing up strategic options such as an IPO, or engineering a merger with VMware in order to alleviate its debts. CEO Michael Dell confirmed in February that a VMware-Dell merger or an IPO is being considered.

One of VMware's investors attacked a potential merger with Dell soon after the news emerged, predicting the deal would lead to "the significant destruction of shareholder value".

Hegarty said Dell's position could change in the future, but claimed that being privately owned is currently the best option for Dell EMC.

"We have a very good privately controlled financial structure and we are in a very, very good spot. If there's some other spot that proves better in the future, I'm sure Michael will look at that, but right now we are in a really good spot - anchored on our customers and partners," he said.