SOLNA, Sweden, Aug. 28, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- In the future Scribona will focus only on distribution of Toshiba's laptop PC products, resulting in the wind-up of the Scribona Group's Toshiba Digital Media division.
Since 2001 the Toshiba Digital Media division, TDM, of Scribona's Brand Alliance business area has suffered from declining sales and profitability problems in a market characterized by powerful price pressure.
Scribona has decided to wind-up the TDM division, which is active in sales, marketing, service and support of Toshiba's laptop PC products, a move that is supported by the supplier. In the future Scribona will focus on distribution of these products through its Distribution business area. During a transitional period Scribona will continue to have responsibility for customer relations and service/support.
Some 45 employees in the Nordic region will be given notice as an effect of the wind-up. The wind-up is expected to generate a positive income effect of SEK 15 million on an annual basis.
Scribona will continue to function as the Nordic agent for Toshiba's document management products such as copiers, printers and faxes, as well as computer video projectors and plasma screens.
Comment from Scribona's CEO Tom Ekevall Larsen: "We see this move as a necessary step in the current market situation. By focusing on distribution we can create the conditions for improved profitability in 2004, at the same time that we can continue offering Toshiba's quality products to our customers," said Scribona's President and CEO Tom Ekevall Larsen.
Comment from Lars Goetzsche, General Manager, Toshiba Europe: "Toshiba will maintain its close collaboration with our long-term partner Scribona and its customers, and have no plans to change the current support and service level. The powerful interest in new mobile and wireless technology in the Nordic region makes this area a key market for Toshiba and our strategy and vision to lead the development of mobile and wireless technology," said Lars Goetzsche, General Manager of Toshiba Europe, in a comment.
For additional information contact: Scribona Tom Ekevall Larsen, President & CEO +46-(0)8-734 36 50 Anders Bley, Vice President +46-(0)708-80 45 20 Toshiba Manuel Linnig, Public Relations Manager, Toshiba Europe +49-2131-158 113
Facts about Scribona
Scribona is the Nordic market's leading provider of IT products and solutions, offering customers cutting-edge product expertise, the industry's leading e-commerce system, optimized product availability and a broad range of complementary services. Scribona's operations are organized in three business areas: . Scribona Solutions -- value adding distribution of IT infrastructure . Scribona Distribution -- effective volume distribution of IT products . Scribona Brand Alliance -- exclusive agent for leading brand suppliers
Address:
Scribona AB, Sundbybergsvagen 1, Box 1374, SE-171 27 SOLNA. The company's registered office is located in Solna, Sweden.
This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net
The following files are available for download:
http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/08/28/20030828BIT00620/wkr0001.doc
http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/08/28/20030828BIT00620/wkr0002.pdf