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BRIGHTSTAR EUROPE AND RIM PAN-EUROPEAN AGREEMENT BRINGS BLACKBERRY SOLUTION TO MOBILE AND IT BUSINESS RESELLERS
Brightstar to Offer Resellers Access to Complete BlackBerry Solution, Including BlackBerry Smartphones, Software and Support Programs
June 5, 2009 − BASINGSTOKE, ENGLAND − Brightstar Europe, the distribution and integrated supply chain solutions expert for the mobile communications industry, has announced today it will provide the complete BlackBerry® solution, including a comprehensive range of BlackBerry® smartphones and all related software, support services and accessories, to its European customer base.
Under the terms of this new agreement, the BlackBerry solution will also be made available to the extensive reseller base of Tech Data, significantly expanding the availability of the BlackBerry solution to resellers for both the enterprise and SME sectors across the region. Furthermore, Brightstar Europe will provide extensive product information, supply and fulfilment, through to sales, marketing, technical support and training.
Resellers of the BlackBerry solution will have access to the unrivaled stock-holding, logistics and financial services offered by Brightstar Europe. This will allow resellers and dealers to exploit opportunities in the business-to-business market for mobile wireless technologies, while simultaneously maximizing efficiency and minimizing costs.
Rod Millar, President of Brightstar Europe, stated, “This is a landmark agreement for Brightstar Europe and one which underlines our position as a leading European distributor of mobile wireless data solutions. The BlackBerry solution is synonymous with mobile data and Research In Motion continues to set the pace in a market which offers significant growth potential and added-value for mobile specialists and IT resellers alike, particularly in the enterprise and SME sectors.”
According to Millar, Brightstar Europe will work with RIM to drive demand for the BlackBerry solution in key segments of the market. “RIM’s technology and innovation are particularly valuable in an economic climate in which all businesses need to be more responsive, flexible and dynamic. The enterprise and small business sectors represent tremendous opportunities for growth and we will be working with RIM to raise awareness among reseller partners of these markets’ potential.”
Thanks to a joint venture between Brightstar Corp. and Tech Data Corporation, Brightstar Europe has quickly become established as one of the leading players in the mobile distribution sector, representing leading manufacturers and also providing customers with access to a wide range of IT products through Tech Data’s UK and European operations. In addition, Brightstar is able to call on the unrivaled resources of Tech Data Europe, including its 500,000 square-foot state-of-the-art logistics centre, which is located at Magna Park near Lutterworth, England.
About Brightstar Europe
Brightstar Europe is a joint venture between Tech Data Corporation and Brightstar Corp. The company is headquartered in the United Kingdom, and has access to sales offices in 16 countries and nine logistics centres throughout the continent. Brightstar Europe distributes mobile phones and other wireless devices to a variety of customers including mobile operators, dealers, agents, retailers and e-tailers throughout Europe.
About Brightstar
Brightstar Corp. is a multi-billion dollar global leader in customized distribution and integrated supply chain solutions for the converging wireless and IT industries. With sales and distribution facilities on six continents, Brightstar offers leading wireless and IT manufacturers the largest global reach, ensuring that the right product is in the right place, at the right time. Brightstar’s industry-leading supply chain solutions are used by the world’s top network operators and retailers to improve financial results, increase EBITDA and turn their supply chains into a competitive advantage. For more information on Brightstar, please visit http://www.brightstarcorp.com.
About Tech Data
Tech Data Corporation (NASDAQ GS: TECD) is one of the world’s largest distributors of technology products from leading IT hardware and software producers. Tech Data serves more than 125,000 IT solution providers in over 100 countries. Every day, these value-added resellers depend on Tech Data to cost-effectively support the technology needs of end users, including small and medium businesses (SMB), large enterprises and government agencies. Ranked 102nd on the FORTUNE 500®, Tech Data generated $24.1 billion in net sales for its fiscal year ended January 31, 2009. To learn more, visit http://www.techdata.com.
The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Nigel Judd, Marketing Services Director, Tech Data Europe
Tel: + 00 351 917 2044 92
Michele M. Merrell, Senior Director of Global Marketing and Communications, Brightstar
Tel: + 1.305.921.1484
Email : .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)