Acer gets 67 percent of sales from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and expects its European sales to grow 30 to 40 percent in "next few years." The company rejoined the US retail market in 2003 after retreating in 1999 to focus on selling products to companies. The company first entered the US retail and corporate market in 1981.
lack of suppliers
"We found the retail market in the US today lacks suppliers because many lost money and have exited the market," Wang said. "We see a good opportunity."
Growth in global PC shipments is expected to slow to about 10 percent this year, from 15 percent last year, IDC said in the Jan. 18 report. Even so, Wang expects first-quarter sales to rise between 45 percent and 50 percent from a year earlier on strong demand.
Wang aims to double Acer's revenue in China this year by using distributors "rather than dealing with thousands of dealers." Greater China contributed 11 percent of Acer's sales last year, while 14 percent came from Asia Pacific.
The China market holds good potential for Taiwan-branded computer makers "as some of them already have a reputation in the market," said Richard Liu, who helps manage ABN Amro Asset Management's Hi Tech Fund in Taipei.
RSS