Ingram poised to further streamline EMEA back-office functions
2017-09-04

American broadliner Ingram Micro is set to move more processes to its service centre in Sofia as its pan-EMEA back office reshuffle continues, according to EMEA executive vice president Mark Snider. Ought to Snider, the firm has been streamlining processes in its warehouses for some time, but is now putting more of a focus on speeding up office functions, which will in turn put more demand on its services centre in Sofia, Bulgaria. The distributor has hired a "Lean" European director and in-country staff responsible for improving office efficiency. "We have this balancing act where, at the same time, we have implemented 'Lean' which allows us to go through the processes we have and streamline them. We do that in the warehouses… but we are doing that in the offices now - we have hired a Lean leader for Europe… and we have hired Lean people in different countries. The idea is the back office processes will become more concerned, because in a lot of distribution you have complex processes coming from vendors and from the customers and we tend to try to fit them as opposed to forcing all of them to fit us", said Snider. The total headcount at the Sofia centre, which provides back-office functions and standardised support across EMEA, has risen to more than 1,000 employees, a number which is likely to increase as the firm looks to streamline office functions across its EMEA territories.

"We have over 1,000 [people] now in Sofia. It works really well. There are some advantages to it, it is so close to the rest of Europe, it is inexpensive, it is a fast flight to get there or for them to come to European countries," Snider said. "It is less expensive than the local market and the advantages, as they do more of these back-end functions for Europe as time goes on, they start being able to streamline some of the processes that go there. They get better at doing these processes, so it is definitely part of the longer-term strategy to lay that out. What you can't do with automation, we find [do via] that group. We probably will grow the headcount in Sofia, but I think even more we are streamlining more functions at the same time."

In the past, consolidating in-country support functions across Europe has meant Ingram has had to lay off regional staff. In 2014, the firm announced a restructure process which saw its Sofia centre expand at the potential expense of jobs. Snider said that the firm is instead concentrating on ramping up headcount in areas such as cloud and commerce and fulfilment. "It seems to be so far that the roles evolve into more of these strategic roles so they are less administrative. There have been cuts here and there, but when you take a look at the overall population in some countries, they have morphed into [being] more strategic and coming more into the cloud area as that continues to grow. The commerce and fulfilment solution area is a real growing area for us, so that is growing as well from a headcount perspective", concludes Mark Snider (source: Channelnomics Europe).

Ingram Micro named global Symantec distribution partner
2017-06-19

Building on its success in advanced IT security, broadliner Ingram Micro is now a key global distribution partner for Symantec and an authorized distributor for the network security portfolio Symantec gained through its acquisition of Blue Coat last August. "With Symantec and Ingram Micro as part of our partner ecosystem, we are empowered and enabled to deliver the advanced managed security services and solutions businesses need to confidently capitalize on the business-building benefits of cloud computing", said Pat Grillo, Chairman of the Board Atrion, an Ingram Micro channel partner.

Under the new scope, Ingram Micro will expand its reach from multi-regional to global, and support Symantec's Integrated Cyber Defense enterprise portfolio including endpoint, email, data loss prevention, data center, cloud security and secure web gateway solutions. Channel partners across several key regions including the Americas, Europe and Asia can now easily engage Ingram Micro to establish a new or expanded relationship with Symantec. Additionally, existing Ingram Micro / Symantec channel partners can expand their solutions portfolio and services reach to include complementary product lines and international customers.

"Serving as a key global distribution partner for Symantec and expanding our authorization is rewarding and an opportunity we worked hard to secure and will certainly capitalize on", said Thomas Bamrick, director, Global Vendor Engagement, Ingram Micro. "Our ability to out execute and add greater business value to Symantec's business is proven, and we are excited to build on our success and enable more channel partners worldwide to take advantage of all Symantec has to offer."

Together, Ingram Micro and Symantec offer channel partners the sales, marketing and technical support resources needed to speed the sales cycle and simplify success, while maximizing channel partner’s potential for profitable growth. "Symantec is committed to the channel and excited to have Ingram Micro as part of its go-to-market global business strategy as we secure the Cloud Generation", said Erick Foy, director of channel sales for North America for Symantec. "Our distribution partners are an essential part of our new channel program and together we will succeed."

Ingram Micro cooperates with MC Technologies
2017-05-30

German M2M-IoT connectivity vendor MC Technologies has chosen the DC/POS BU of the Specialty Solutions division of broadliner Ingram Micro as an official distributor for the DACH region (Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein and Switzerland).

Citizen expands presence in EMEA region with new distribution partner
2017-05-10

Japanese vendor Citizen Systems has unveiled a new distribution partnership with the world's largest wholesale technology products distributor, Ingram Micro. The new partnership, which is effective immediately, further strengthens Citizen's distribution network and allows the company to better meet the growing demand for its high quality printer ranges. For Ingram Micro, the partnership has enhanced its product portfolio and offerings, enabling it to deliver a superior selection of printing solutions to customers.

Citizen printers are widely regarded as among the most reliable, efficient and easy to use on the market, ensuring prints of unbeatable quality and a fast return on investment for users. As part of the new partnership, Ingram Micro will be responsible for distributing Citizen's entire range of point-of-sale (POS), mobile and label printers. Ingram Micro offers one account for IT, as well as Auto ID and POS products, making it a one stop shop for resellers, who will benefit from a comprehensive service of even greater efficiency than before. With 37 years of experience and an EMEA-wide distribution network, Ingram Micro has proven to possess the channels and experience required to reach Citizen's targets market. In recent years, as technology has developed and become easier to use, the line between specialised Auto ID and POS resellers and traditional IT resellers has blurred, which has made reaching the new combined market more challenging. Now, thanks to this new cooperation, Citizen has the capability and access to the correct channels required to meet demand in its target markets, while ensuring customers benefit from Ingram Micro's high quality service.

"Citizen Systems is committed to expanding its global sales, service and supply chain network to meet the immediate and longer-term needs of key markets. Our new partnership with Ingram Micro will play an important role in achieving this objective", explained Mark Moore, Citizen Systems Europe's Managing Director. "Ingram Micro gives us greater access to key EMEA markets and enables us to expand our regional coverage, especially in Central Eastern Europe, which is essential as we continue to grow. We'll be aiming to reach and support more dedicated Auto ID and POS resellers, in addition to the traditional IT resellers who have began operating in the Auto ID and POS market."

Commenting on the promising new partnership, Mark Cheetham, DC/POS EMEA Director at Ingram Micro, said: "with Citizen's comprehensive range of printing solutions, they are a valuable addition to our portfolio. Leveraging our experienced, specialist AIDC and POS teams of over 170 people across EMEA, we believe we can help Citizen grow into new markets and give our partners access to high quality printers from a renown brand." Citizen POS products are available through Ingram's AIDC/POS BU in Ingram Specialty Solutions divisions in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Mark Chlebek to Head Pan-EMEA Ingram Micro Division
2017-04-25

Broadliner Ingram Micro has unveiled a change of leadership in its pan-EMEA division. Mark Chlebek replaces Robert Beck as executive director of this division, managing relationships with pan-EMEA vendor partners. Beck will "gradually withdraw from the day-to-day business", before ending his 25 year career with the distributor. A 20-year company veteran, having joined Ingram in 1997, Chlebek takes responsibility for "purchasing and business management" for regional vendor partners managed by the distributor on a centralised basis. As part of the EMEA senior management team he reports to global group president of EMEA Mark Snider. "I'm excited to have Mark Chlebek coming into this strategic role. Mark brings with him years of EMEA-wide experience driving innovation and growth for our business. I am looking forward to working with him in his new capacity", Snider says. "I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Robert Beck for his many years of service and dedication to Ingram Micro. I'd also like to thank him for volunteering to help with a smooth transition, ensuring Ingram Micro business will continue without interruption to our vendor and customer partners." Chlebek is but one recent promotion in Ingram management. In February the distributor appointed Jacek Murawski as VP of EMEA vender engagement, with Günter Schiessl and Jordi Muñoz reporting into him in roles overseeing the management of partnerships with volume and value vendors respectively.

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