IBM and Comtech Expand Strategic Alliance to Include Vobis for the German and Austrian Consumer PC Market
Powerful Combination brings IBM’s Aptiva E Series Home PC to more than 600 Vobis and Comtech Retail Stores in Germany and Austria
Munich, Germany (March 12, 1998) – IBM today announced that its strategic alliance with German retailer comtech for the IBM Aptiva E Series, the company’s popular home PC, will be strengthened with the addition of Vobis and their more than 400 retail stores in Germany and Austria. Today’s announcement significantly expands upon the successful Aptiva E Series alliance begun in August 1997 between IBM and comtech for the assembly, marketing and distribution of Aptivas in Germany and Austria.
Under the terms of the expanded comtech agreement, comtech has sub-licensed Vobis to independently assemble, distribute and market the Aptiva E Series to its retail store network in Germany and Austria. IBM will continue to manage the Aptiva brand. This powerful addition means consumers in Germany and Austria will have easy access to the most trusted brand in computing, on virtually every street corner, from the most recognized names in home PC retail.
To take advantage of comtech and Vobis’ consumer and retail marketing capabilities in Germany and Austria, both companies willindependently implement strategic advertising, promotion and in-store retail communications activities for the Aptiva E Series.
“Success in today’s competitive consumer PC market requires continuous innovation, not only in new products, but in how and where they’re brought to market,” said Jim Firestone, general manager of IBM’s Consumer Division.
By extending the agreement to include Vobis, IBM will increase its home market presence to more than 600 Vobis and comtech retail locations in Germany and Austria. This strategic alliance will give all parties a competitive edge and the ability to take advantage of the huge home PC market opportunity in Germany.
“IBM is pleased that the Aptiva E Series will now be marketed by the most recognized names in home PC retailing. We are confident this powerful combination will bring a compelling offering to German and Austrian families shopping for a high-quality home PC,” commented Hermann-Josef Lamberti, general manager of IBM Germany.
According to INTECO, the German home PC market is expected to grow more than 20 percent this year, with similar projections for 1999.
“The targetof the strategic alliance signed between IBM and comtech in August 1997 is to establish the IBM Aptiva ESeries as an A brand in the German consumer market,” said Joachim Bäurle, President of the comtech. “In extending this cooperation to include Vobis Microcomputer AG, we are taking a major step in achieving this goal. For comtech as licensee of IBM and as licenser to Vobis, this alliance offers – alongside the interesting economic perspectives – the possibility to target new customer segments and in doing so to ensure the long-term success of our company.”
Vobis will begin distribution of the Aptiva E Series through its more than 400 Vobis retail outlets, Peacock and further enterprises of the Metro Group in Germany and Austria. Under the agreement, comtech will continue to distribute and sell the Aptiva E Series in its own retail network which covers 200 stores in both Germany and Austria.
“This cooperation strengthens our position as the leading retailer in the German PC market,” said Dr. Gert Hügler, CEO of Vobis Microcomputer AG. “I am convinced that the IBM brand will be an important criteria for customers to buy at Vobis. As from the third quarter in 1998, Vobis will be offering the IBM Aptiva E Series ‘built to customer’, so that the customer can order a configuration tailored to meet his individual wishes and needs.”
Source: IBM