BRIGHTSTAR EUROPE EXPANDS INTO GERMANY
BARCELONA, Spain / MUNICH, Germany Feb. 16, 2009 — Brightstar Europe, a joint venture between Tech Data Corporation (NASDAQ: TECD) and Brightstar Corp., today announced that they are expanding their business operations into Germany in line with their pan-European growth strategy. Brightstar Europe is a leading distributor for mobile data solutions and services in Europe. The organisation benefits from a proven centralized back-office IT-infrastructure and tremendous logistics resources, as well as from the strong capital structure of both companies.
By offering mobile phones, mobility solutions and services, Brightstar Europe, Germany intends to target, in the first instance, mobile dealers and selected retailers. Longer term, the target market will be extended to IT resellers, other retailers and mobile operators. In parallel, the product and service portfolio will be extended over the next few months.
In Germany, the business will be managed by Axel Grellhorst, who will have responsibility for the following areas: sales, marketing, procurement and product management. He will lead a team with long-term telecommunications industry experience, located in Osnabrück. Most recently, Grellhorst held the position of Managing Director of the telecommunications distributor NT Plus and brings many years of experience to his new role.
At Brightstar Europe, Grellhorst will be focusing on the implementation and development of a strong, local team and in the expansion of the growth strategy of both Tech Data Corp. and Brightstar Corp. in Germany. Grellhorst reports to Rod Millar, President Brightstar Europe.
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. It is already distributing mobile phones and other wireless devices to a variety of customers including mobile operators, dealers, agents, retailers and e-tailers throughout Europe.
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 100,000 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 (SMBs), large enterprises and government agencies. Ranked 105th on the FORTUNE 500®, Tech Data generated $23.4 billion in net sales for its fiscal year ended January 31, 2008. To learn more, visit http://www.techdata.com
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.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Nigel Judd, Marketing Services Director, Tech Data Europe
Tel: + 00 351 917 2044 92
Simon Meredith, Meredith Media Services
Office: + 44 (0) 1743) 248482; Mobile: +44 (0) 7850 144189
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Michele M. Merrell, Senior Director of Global Marketing and Communications, Brightstar Corp.
Tel: + 1 305.921.1484
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