BRUSSELS, Belgium, Feb. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Ingram Micro Europe, the European division of Ingram Micro Inc. (NYSE:IM)
, the world's leading wholesale provider of technology products and services, today announced it has signed an agreement in principle with Take Care Marketing AB (TCM) to provide extensive outsourcing services for its logistics operation including inventory management, order fulfillment and configuration services.
TCM, a leading corporate value-added reseller (VAR) in Sweden, marks its position in the market by focusing on five areas: business systems (ERP), e-business, knowledge management, infrastructure and product maintenance and supply. The common factor for these areas is the company's working infrastructure. TCM has deep and wide experience and competence in the high-availability (advanced server solutions and safe storage of larger data quantities), server-based computing (thin clients), operating systems/database management (such as Microsoft, Novell, and Oracle products) and administration areas (administration of networks and standardized equipment like the TCM developed concept).
As a part of the further development of its core business, TCM selected Ingram Micro as its sole partner to outsource logistics and distribution of IT-products. Under the terms of the agreement, TCM maintains sales responsibility towards the end-user customer, while Ingram Micro will assume tasks such as purchase, order administration, delivery and configuration services.
Subsequent to the agreement between the two companies, approximately 25 associates from TCM will transfer to Ingram Micro. The transition will be implemented gradually between March and June 2000.
"We have decided to outsource our logistics operation to meet the market's future demand for effective product maintenance and supply, and an altered view on trade and distribution. The deal projects a total volume of more than US$200 million (1.8 billion SEK) for the entire three-year period. We are convinced that together with Ingram Micro we will be able to dramatically raise our logistics quality and to develop our strong customer base further where more and larger deals can be made in a cost-effective way," said Lars Oquist, managing director of TCM Sweden.
TCM Customer Implications
-- The agreement means continued excellence in shipment quality, wider
product offering, increased product availability and more effective
logistics for the entire TCM customer base.
-- TCM will continue to sell and take responsibility for product sales to
the end-user customer. As a result, TCM will be able to handle
substantially larger volumes.
-- TCM's end-user customers will be offered alternate and enhanced
purchasing methods through e-commerce, as well as traditional
purchasing.
"This agreement again proves that the industry really is rapidly changing towards distributors managing the complete logistics operation. We are proud to have TCM trust us with their already strong logistics operation. This new agreement allows TCM in Sweden to offer the best possible levels of customer service, while reducing operating costs and relying on Ingram Micro as an integral business partner," said Karl-Gustav Idh, vice president, Ingram Micro Northern Europe and managing director for Ingram Micro Sweden.
Today's agreement is in line with Ingram Micro's global strategy to position itself as the leading services and solutions provider to the entire technology industry by providing resellers and vendors with contracted services. Over the last twelve months, Ingram Micro has secured many of the public outsourcing opportunities available in North America and Europe. Some of the more notable agreements in the United States include: CompUSA Inc. (July 1999), Elcom International Inc. (April 1999), Multiple Zones (November 1999), SARCOM (August 1999), Software Spectrum Inc. (North America, February 1999) and Unisys Corp. (June 1999). Additionally, European outsourcing agreements have been secured with Telenor IT Service and Installasjon in Norway (September 1999), GE Capital IT Solutions in Denmark (September 1999) and IMS in Sweden (September 1999).
About Take Care Marketing AB (TCM)
TCM is one of Sweden's leading computer and services companies. It provides structured IT-environment solutions for companies and organizations. The company offers sharp competence in areas like system integration, software and hardware. To deliver highest possible quality, TCM partners with market leading vendors like J.D. Edwards, Microsoft, Novell, Cisco, Compaq, Hewlett Packard, Toshiba etc. TCM has offices in Stockholm, Goteborg and Lund. TCM can be found at http://www.tcm.se/.
About Ingram Micro Inc.
Ingram Micro Inc. (NYSE:IM)
, headquartered in Santa Ana, Calif., is the world's largest wholesale provider of technology products and services, and is a leader in assembly and integration services with sales of $28 billion for the past four reported quarters. The company and its subsidiaries operate in 34 countries and distribute more than 280,000 products to more than 175,000 resellers. Ingram Micro can be found at www.ingrammicro.com.
Source: Ingram Micro Inc.
Contact: Lisa Landry, 714-245-7500, ext. 225,
lisa_landry@benjamingroup.com, or Carrie Brooks, 714-245-7500, ext. 223,
carrie_brooks@benjamingroup.com, both of Benjamin Group/BSMG Worldwide, for
Ingram Micro Inc.; or Eline Jongerius, Director of Public Relations of Ingram
Micro Europe, (+31) 30 2464001 ext. 4400, Fax: (+31) 30 2465400,
eline.jongerius@ingram.nl
Website: http://www.tcm.se/
Website: http://www.ingrammicro.com/