NEC Group to merge its businesses
Projectors and plasma screens will become part of NEC Display Solutions
The NEC Group is to merge its LCD, projector and plasma businesses together in a move that will make it easier for resellers to do business, the vendor has claimed.
Currently, NEC Display Solutions handles LCDs, while projectors and plasmas fall under NEC UK’s remit, with both businesses operating independently of each other. As of 1 April, NEC’s projectors and plasmas will become part of NEC Display Solutions.
Peter Kroyer, general manager, director sales and marketing for Europe at NEC Display Solutions, told CRN: “There are many channel partners that need to offer a total display solution to customers. Previously, we could only offer LCDs and we would have to send resellers to the other part of the business for projectors and plasmas. With all three product areas coming together, we will have one total display solutions portfolio. This should make our channel partners’ lives a lot easier.”
Kroyer added that all existing channel relationships and contracts would be honoured.
Simon Jackson, UK sales director at NEC Display Solutions, said: “It is something we hoped would happen for some time. It is great news and will give us one face for our VARs to deal with. The resellers and distributors we have spoken to already are happy about the change.
“We haven’t made any decisions yet on whether there will be any changes to our distribution partners, and we won’t make any snap decisions. We will need to look at what worked for the projectors and plasmas – and what’s been working for us – and go from there.”
Lee Baker, divisional manager for home entertainment and displays at Midwich, said: “We are the only distributor that sells NEC projectors, plasmas and LCDs, so it is good news for us. We also sell NEC Computers’ products, so we really are able to provide resellers with a total NEC offering.”
Jim Butler, events director at Hamilton Rentals, an NEC Display Solutions Plus Partner, said: “For events, we use NEC screens and projectors. Now that they are going to be under the one umbrella it will be easier for us to deal with them.”