Company Leverages Best Practices Across North America; Kevin Murai to Head North America Region
SANTA ANA, Calif., Oct. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Ingram Micro Inc. (NYSE:IM)
, the largest global wholesale provider of technology products and supply chain management services, today announced it will join its U.S. and Canada regions to leverage the asset structure of the two regions and invest more in supply chain management service capabilities, maximizing the delivery of technology solutions to customers and manufacturers. Effective Jan. 2, 2002, the regional integration demonstrates Ingram Micro's commitment to improve operating efficiencies and it fully leverages the value of the company's talent and expertise across borders.
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Kevin Murai, president of Ingram Micro U.S. and former president Ingram Micro Canada, will serve as president of the new North America region, and a single management team will be created with a unified focus. Throughout the remainder of this year, the company will implement a planned integration process for the two regions. This will enable greater consistencies in global processes, the sharing of best practices across all functions and the expansion of new products and services. Effective immediately, Ingram Micro Canada president, Asger Falstrup, has been named president of Ingram Micro Latin America, replacing acting president, Jorge Reyes, who will resume as head of finance for Latin America. Falstrup will serve as president for both Canada and Latin America through 2001 as part of the integration process.
"Ingram Micro has the opportunity to serve virtually every level of the supply chain," said Michael J. Grainger, president and COO, Ingram Micro Inc. "A united North America region provides greater economies of scale and a compelling value proposition at a lower cost structure. Consolidation is a global trend for delivering high-quality services at a low cost, and Ingram Micro is ahead of this trend for IT distribution. This move makes us a better supply chain management services partner to the technology industry."
The new Ingram Micro North America further enhances Ingram Micro's evolution from a product sales organization to a solutions-centric company by streamlining the core IT distribution business and leveraging best practices to develop valuable new go-to-market services for customers and supply chain services for manufacturers. The areas of the business that will most benefit from a single North America region include product management, customer programs, logistics services, finance and operations. This move will also increase opportunities for sharing developmental costs and services, and where appropriate, facilitating joint purchasing agreements.
"As we continue to look for ways to improve business processes and invest in key areas, the alignment of these two regions became a logical development," Grainger added. "We have talent in the U.S. and Canada that can work together to develop more opportunities for customers and manufacturers. Our innovative approach to service gives us a competitive edge."
About Ingram Micro Inc.
Ingram Micro Inc. is the largest global wholesale provider of technology products and supply chain management services. The company operates in 36 countries with sales of $30.7 billion for the fiscal year 2000. Ingram Micro's global regions provide the distribution of technology products and services, marketing development and supply chain management services to more than 175,000 technology solution providers and 1,700 manufacturers. The company is focused on maximizing shareowner value and achieving customer satisfaction through innovation in the IT supply chain. Visit http://www.ingrammicro.com/corp.
Cautionary Statement for the Purpose of the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
The matters in this press release that are forward-looking statements are based on current management expectations that involve certain risks, including, without limitation: risks and difficulties similar to those when integrating operations and personnel in acquisitions; intense competition in the US, Canada and internationally; the severe downturn in economic conditions continues or worsens; continued pricing and margin pressures; failure to adjust costs in a timely fashion in response to a sudden decrease in demand; the potential for declines in inventory values and continued restrictive vendor terms and conditions; the potential decline as well as seasonal variations in demand for Ingram Micro's products and services; unavailability of adequate capital; inability to manage future adverse industry trends; failure of information systems; significant credit loss resulting from significant credit exposure to reseller customers and negative trends in their businesses; interest rate and foreign currency fluctuations; impact of governmental controls and political or economic instability on foreign operations; changes in local, regional, and global economic conditions and practices; dependency on key individuals and inability to retain personnel; product supply shortages; the potential termination of a supply agreement with a major supplier; difficulties and risks associated with acquisitions; rapid product improvement and technological change and resulting obsolescence risks; dependency on independent shipping companies; and the changes in terms of subsidized floor plan financing.
Ingram Micro has instituted in the past and continues to institute changes to its strategies, operations and processes to address these risk factors and to mitigate their impact on Ingram Micro's results of operations and financial condition. However, no assurances can be given that Ingram Micro will be successful in these efforts. For a further discussion of these and other significant factors to consider in connection with forward-looking statements concerning Ingram Micro, reference is made to Exhibit 99.01 of Ingram Micro's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2001; other risks or uncertainties may be detailed from time to time in Ingram Micro's future SEC filings.
Ingram Micro and the registered Ingram Micro logo are trademarks used under license by Ingram Micro Inc.
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Source: Ingram Micro Inc.
Contact: media, Lisa Falcetti of Benjamin Group-BSMG Worldwide,
+1-949-260-1300, ext. 234, lisa_falcetti@benjamingroup.com, for Ingram Micro
Inc.; or media, Jennifer Baier, +1-714-382-2692,
jennifer.baier@ingrammicro.com, or investors, Ria Carlson, +1-714-382-4400,
ria.carlson@ingrammicro.com, both of Ingram Micro Inc.
Website: http://www.ingrammicro.com/corp