As widely expected, Apple has appointed a second New Zealand agent: Ingram Micro NZ. Ingram Micro will work alongside Apple's existing distributor, Reniassance (NZX: RNS).
US-owned Ingram Micro is the world's largest IT distribution company, and ea
As widely expected, Apple has appointed a second New Zealand agent: Ingram Micro NZ. Ingram Micro will work alongside Apple's existing distributor, Renaissance (NZX: RNS).
US-owned Ingram Micro is the world's largest IT distribution company, and easily the largest in NZ.
Eyerman to head new business unit
Ingram Micro New Zealand has formed a new new Apple Business Unit, which will be headed by Kelly Eyerman.
Ms Eyerman was formerly Business Unit Director for the Mac Division at Ingram Micro US, where she was responsible for purchasing, marketing and sales and was the lead for the Worldwide Ingram Micro Mac Division.
Long time coming
On paper, Renaissance lost its exclusive Apple agency back in 2006 - but it has taken until Friday this week for Apple to appoint a second distributor.
A Renaissance insider played down the change, saying there was "almost no margin" in Apple products.
He also pointed out that Apple itself has effectively acted as a second distributor since 2007, when the company's Australia-New Zealand office (based in Sydney) took over fulfillment of online orders.
Apple is also directly supplying large retail chains, such as JB Hi-Fi.
Renaissance: new retail stores, iPad development
Since losing its Apple exclusivity, Renaissance (a $100 million company by revenue) has diversified by buying design school NatColl and retail chain Magnum Mac.
Co-founder Warwick Grey, who recently rejoined the company, told NBR that it is now in the process of leasing space for a new retail chain, which will feature products beyond the Apple universe, and have an emphasis on training and other value-added services.
The company is also looking to expand its iPad development division, for which it sees international potential. A diary app created by the company has already gained traction in the US, Mr Grey said.
Renaissance shares, which have a 52-week range of 18 cents to 38 cents, were two cents up on Friday to 34 cents.
