Companies Join Forces for Online Access to World's Largest Computer Product Inventory, Backed by World-Class Logistics Services
IRVINE, Calif., May 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Latin eVentures Ltd., a holding company for Latin American electronic commerce ventures, and Ingram Micro Inc. (NYSE:IM)
, the world's largest wholesale provider of technology products and services, today announced they have signed a pan-regional agreement to execute a Latin American information technology (IT) e-marketplace known as eAQUI.com (www.eAQUI.com), providing online access to the world's largest inventory of computer products for corporate customers.
Latin eVentures, through its operating company, eAQUI.com, will offer corporate clients real-time online access to Ingram Micro's expansive inventory of computer hardware and software products. eAQUI.com is an interactive electronic commerce destination that will improve the purchasing process for Latin American corporate clients by enabling them to make corporate IT purchases online. Ingram Micro will provide back-office logistics services to meet customer demand for eAQUI.com customers in Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Mexico.
The initiative represents Ingram Micro's first Latin American e-commerce relationship, expanding the company's e-business logistics engine into this growing market and supporting Latin eVentures with world-class logistics services to meet customer demand.
Cenmar Fuertes, co-founder, president and chief executive officer of Latin eVentures, said, "Together with Ingram Micro, we are changing the way technology products are purchased throughout Latin America. Ingram Micro has well-established roots in Latin America, and its name is synonymous with superior product selection, execution and service. Through this relationship, our corporate clients will have real-time, online access to the world's largest inventory of computer hardware, software and networking products from the leading brand names in the computer industry."
Real-Time Inventory, Price, Availability and Order Status
As the order management engine for eAQUI.com, Ingram Micro will deploy its proprietary InsideLine(TM) e-commerce technology to enable real-time pricing, availability and order management for online purchases for the first time in Latin America. eAQUI.com will utilize Ingram Micro's InsideLine on thousands of IT products via secure Internet data exchanges.
In addition, Ingram Micro's network, with seven distribution centers strategically located in major metropolitan areas throughout Argentina, Brazil and Chile, eight distribution centers in Mexico, its export organization in Miami and a subsidiary in Peru enables products to be shipped within 24 hours of receipt of a completed order online.
"We are delighted to expand our e-logistics expertise into the Latin American market in partnership with Latin eVentures and eAQUI.com," said Don Lyman, senior vice president and president of Ingram Micro Latin America. "We have an in-depth understanding of the Latin American IT market, a well-established distribution center network and an understanding of the infrastructure needs of online businesses through our solid track record with U.S. e-tailers, which will enhance this relationship and help eAqui.com satisfy its customers."
Ingram Micro is the largest fulfillment and logistics provider for the emerging Internet retailer market, enabling more than 30 online businesses to sell technology products with real-time inventory management systems and order management capabilities. Based on first quarter 2000 performance, annualized sales to pure Internet storefronts exceed $1 billion per year, a 70 percent growth over last year.
"The creation of a site that will allow us in the IT industry to discuss technology-related subjects in various forums is of great value," said Carlos Augusto Guerra, technology manager for Accor Compass Group S.A. "The eAQUI.com concept will change the way technological assets are purchased within organizations, bringing simplicity and ensuring the purchase process, such as quotations and analysis, is accomplished in a more time-efficient manner."
Latin eVentures has been operating a beta version of eAQUI.com successfully in Brazil since December 1999. The company's Brazilian client roster boasts some of the leading FORTUNE 500 corporations, including Antarctica, Citibank and Nestle.
About Ingram Micro Inc.
Operating in 34 countries, Ingram Micro Inc. (NYSE:IM)
is the world's largest wholesale provider of technology products and services, with sales exceeding $29 billion for the past four reported quarters. Ingram Micro's key business units deliver fulfillment and distribution, product acquisition and selection, supply-chain automation and programs, as well as e-procurement to more than 175,000 technology solution providers, manufacturers and businesses located in more than 100 countries. Ingram Micro is driving the evolution of wholesale distribution for the information technology industry and is the operations engine behind leading global e-businesses today. Ingram Micro can be found at www.ingrammicro.com.
About Latin eVentures Ltd.
Latin eVentures was founded in September 1999, and is an e-commerce holding company based in Hamilton, Bermuda. The company's U.S. offices are located in Irvine, California. Latin eVentures' mission is to establish a number of e-commerce companies throughout Latin America focused on delivering the best online experience for corporate clients in the region. Latin eVentures has offices in Sao Paulo, Mexico City, Buenos Aires, and Santiago. Latin eVentures can be found at http://www.latineventures.com/. eAQUI can be found at http://www.eaqui.com/.
Source: Ingram Micro Inc.
Contact: Jennifer Marchetta of Ingram Micro Inc., 714-382-2692,
jennifer.marchetta@ingrammicro.com; or Lisa Landry of Benjamin Group/BSMG,
714-245-7500 ext. 225, lisa_landry@benjamingroup.com, for Ingram Micro Inc.;
or Kirsten Frosh of Meridian Communications, 714-633-2033, kfrosh@pacbell.net,
for Latin eVentures Ltd.
Website: http://www.eaqui.com/
Website: http://www.latineventures.com/
Website: http://www.ingrammicro.com/