The new company, Brightstar Europe Limited, will distribute mobile phones and other wireless devices to a variety of customers including mobile operators, dealers, agents, retailers and e-tailers throughout the European market. Both Tech Data and Brightstar will have a 50 percent joint ownership of Brightstar Europe. The joint venture arrangement is expected to be finalised in the coming weeks.
Robert M. Dutkowsky, chief executive officer of Tech Data Corporation, commented, “The formation of this joint venture with Brightstar is a new and exciting approach towards extending Tech Data’s reach into new product and service markets. Tech Data’s established pan-European footprint and logistics capabilities in combination with Brightstar’s deep knowledge of the mobile device market and their relationships with many of the world’s leading mobile manufacturers and operators will provide customers with unparalleled service.
As the mobile device industry continues to expand, Brightstar Europe will serve as a critical supply chain partner – enabling manufacturers and operators to reduce costs, improve delivery times and invest more in next generation technologies. We are excited about this opportunity to diversify our distribution services and we look forward to Brightstar Europe’s advancement in the market.”
R. Marcelo Claure, president, chief executive officer and chairman of Brightstar Corp., added, “The European mobile device market is highly fragmented in terms of supply chain and distribution services. We believe that Brightstar Europe will transform service levels provided to operators, retailers and manufacturers, significantly reducing operating costs and improving mobile device delivery throughout the region. Through this joint venture, we are introducing next generation distribution to the European market.”
Brightstar Europe will be headquartered in the United Kingdom with access to 10 logistics centres and 16 sales offices across Europe. The company is expected to commence operations in March pending regulatory and other required approvals.