Tech Data y GE Capital IT Solutions firman importante acuerdo

20 de mayo de 1999 - En inglés

CLEARWATER, FLA. - Tech Data Corporation, a leading worldwide technology distributor, is becoming the IT procurement, configuration and assembly, and logistics services provider for GE Capital IT Solutions, a global one-source provider of integrated business and support solutions. The three-year agreement will focus on the U.S. and is projected to generate approximately $2 billion in annual incremental revenue for Tech Data upon full implementation. GE Capital IT Solutions will continue to provide its comprehensive suite of services directly to its customers, which include leading corporations and businesses throughout the world.

"This outsourcing agreement illustrates the profound role Tech Data has in the future of the IT industry," commented Tech Data Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Steven A. Raymund. "Today's technology resellers and vendors are realizing that they can do business more efficiently and more cost effectively by leveraging our infrastructure and core competencies. GE Capital IT Solutions can now intensify its focus on providing superior customer service and developing world class business solutions while dramatically streamlining logistics, system customization and overall product fulfillment through Tech Data."

As part of the agreement, Tech Data will assume control of GE Capital IT Solutions' 200,000-square-foot facility in Frederick, Md., effective August 1999. The operations include a 40,000-square-foot configuration and assembly center as well as inventory stocking and fulfillment services. All of the facility's employees will become Tech Data associates.

"By forming this agreement with Tech Data, we can continue to drive the efficiency and service levels necessary to achieve customer satisfaction in the hardware component of our solutions," said James E. Mohn, President & CEO of GE Capital IT Solutions. "This agreement gives us the ability to lead the industry through an innovative distribution partnership that better serves our customers. We are also better equipped to deal with the issues inherent in a rapidly changing technology environment."

Tech Data's reseller channel commitment instrumental in GE Capital IT Solutions' selection

Tech Data was selected as GE Capital IT Solutions' outsource partner after an extensive review of its capabilities and demonstrated commitment to serving the reseller channel. With the outsourcing agreement, GE Capital IT Solutions will no longer need to stock, configure or assemble technology products prior to delivery. The agreement coincides with another recent major industry announcement in which Compaq Computer Corp. is consolidating its number of distribution partners in North America from 39 to four, including Tech Data.

"We are giving technology resellers and manufacturers a decisive advantage by streamlining the supply chain," remarked Anthony A. Ibargüen, Tech Data's president and chief operating officer. "Our focus is on driving costs out of the procurement, logistics and asset management functions while meeting growing demand for comprehensive multivendor solutions. The outsourcing agreement we announced today with GE Capital IT Solutions exemplifies this strategy and the beginning of an exciting new era in our industry."

About GE Capital IT Solutions

GE Capital IT Solutions is a global one-source provider of integrated business and support solutions that keep its customers sharply focused on their businesses' key success factors. Headquartered in Newport, Ky., GE Capital IT Solutions offers a suite of strategic solutions to support the information technology needs of diverse industries and businesses, employing the Six Sigma Quality methodology. Solutions are focused into three main categories: business solutions, support solutions and acquisition solutions that cover areas including IT Management Services, E-Commerce, Internetworking Architecture Services, Software Licensing, Asset Management, Enterprise Management Services and Disaster Recovery. The company has offices in 18 countries worldwide. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of GE Capital Services, a diversified global financial services company with 28 specialized businesses.

As part of the GE family of companies, GE Capital IT Solutions is a valued member of an organization FORTUNE magazine votes as "The Most Admired Company in America" for the second consecutive year in 1999. Learn more about GE Capital IT Solutions, its strategic solutions and its products at: www.gecits.ge.com.

About Tech Data

Tech Data Corporation (NASDAQ/NMS: TECD), founded in 1974, is a leading full-line distributor of technology products worldwide. The Fortune 500 company and its subsidiaries operate in over 30 countries, serving more than 100,000 resellers in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East. In addition to distributing more than 75,000 products from over 1,000 manufacturers and publishers, Tech Data provides extensive pre- and post-sale training, service and support as well as high-quality configuration and assembly services and a full range of electronic commerce solutions. The company generated sales of $11.5 billion in its most recent fiscal year, which ended January 31, 1999. Tech Data's award-winning Web site can be found at www.techdata.com.

Certain matters discussed in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include the following: business conditions and growth in the personal computer industry and general economy; competitive factors, including compressed gross profit margins; inventory risks due to shifts in market demand; product availability; changes in product mix; labor strikes; and the risk factors listed from time to time in the company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.