With new plans in the pipeline, the world's fourth-largest PC brand maker, Lenovo Group Ltd (聯想), is working to build a strong brand image in Taiwan, its new local chief said yesterday.
For a start, the company has downsized its number of local distributors to three, said Ken Wang (黃建燴), Lenovo's general manager in Hong Kong and Taiwan, on the sidelines of a product launch yesterday.
partners
The three remaining channel partners are Xander International Corp (建達國際), Synnex Technology International Corp (聯強國際) and Bestcom Infotech Corp (群環科技), he said.
"This new business model will be more efficient and bring us closer to the local market," Wang said.
Wang, who hails from Hong Kong, made his first media appearance yesterday after officially succeeding Laurence Hwang (黃維德) in February. Hwang quit Lenovo Taiwan last October, citing personal reasons.
"Hong Kong and Taiwan share a lot of similarities. Both markets have reached a mature stage with a lot of brands competing," Wang said.
top seller
With a strong brand image and comprehensive product lineup, Lenovo has been the top PC seller in Hong Kong since acquiring IBM's PC division in 2005 for US$1.25 billion, he said.
Lenovo had a historical high market share of 23.1 percent in Hong Kong last year, he said, and is expected to secure the position again this year.
Lenovo was overtaken by Acer Inc on the world stage in the first quarter as the Taiwanese firm became the world's No. 3 PC maker.
In Taiwan, China's biggest PC maker lost its No. 3 spot to Hewlett-Packard Co in the second quarter last year, statistics from International Data Corp showed.
own pace
Wang said Lenovo would manage its Taiwan operations at its own pace, with "shipment volumes not its focus."
In a bid to reach out to a wider audience, Lenovo will open more showrooms around the nation in the next six months. It already has a flagship store in Taipei 101.
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