RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. & TUCKER, Ga., August 15, 2011 — Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) and SED International Holdings, Inc. (AMEX:SED) today announced that the companies have entered into an agreement under which SED will distribute a selection of Lenovo ThinkPad laptops, ThinkCentre desktops,IdeaPad laptops,Lenovo-branded laptops and options to SED’s network of U.S. reseller partners.
“We do the majority of our business through channel partners, and by adding SED International as a new distributor, we’re strengthening our commitment to the channel and leveraging SED International’s expertise in a market we do not serve today, especially for partners who specialize in small business computing,” said Chris Frey, Channel Chief, Lenovo North America. “The Lenovo-SED collaboration can quickly bring them products with the performance, reliability and innovation their customers require.”
Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) intend to expand their use of technology to improve customer interactions, mobility options and operational efficiencies, according to the Third Annual Small and Medium Business Technology Adoptions Trends study released on July 27, 2011 by CompTIA, the non-profit trade association for the information technology (IT) industry. Seven out of 10 SMBs surveyed said that they expect to increase their technology spending over the next 12 months. A full third of the companies surveyed expect to increase their IT budget by 10 percent or more, and in the aggregate, SMB IT budgets are expected to increase by an average of slightly over five percent. Among the factors driving SMB technology buying decisions over the next 12 months are desires for better network efficiencies and robustness; improved connections with customers online and in a mobile environment; enhanced resource management and tracking; and more business analytics.
“SED is excited about our new relationship with Lenovo,” said Jonathan Elster, President and Chief Executive Officer, SED. “We’re continually evolving and expanding our line card to better meet the needs of our partners, and this agreement provides an excellent opportunity for SED to showcase its efficient and growing distribution network. We see a lot of opportunity for growth in the SMB space, and our new agreement with Lenovo enables SED to offer our reseller customers serving this market a richer portfolio of products designed specifically to address their SMB clientele’s unique needs.”
Beginning immediately, products available through SED International include the ThinkPad Edge and SL laptops, designed for customers who want business-class performance, are style-conscious and need these features at an affordable price. Starting around $600, the laptops are equipped with choices of second generation Intel® Core™ processors and include robust multimedia functionality. Lenovo G Series laptops offer essential computing features that will meet virtually any budget, while IdeaPad laptops feature multimedia and entertainment technologies that customers can use for business or enjoy for personal computing. The SED portfolio also includes the ThinkCentre A70z of all-in-one desktop for high performance computing that features a modern, professional design and small footprint, making it ideal for crowded offices.
About Lenovo
Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is a $US21 billion personal technology company serving customers in more than 160 countries, and the world’s fourth-largest PC vendor. Dedicated to building exceptionally engineered PCs and mobile internet devices, Lenovo’s business is built on product innovation, a highly-efficient global supply chain and strong strategic execution. Formed by Lenovo Group’s acquisition of the former IBM Personal Computing Division, the company develops, manufactures and markets reliable, high-quality, secure and easy-to-use technology products and services. Its product lines include legendary Think-branded commercial PCs and Idea-branded consumer PCs, as well as servers, workstations, and a family of mobile internet devices, including tablets and smart phones. Lenovo has major research centers in Yamato, Japan; Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, China; and Raleigh, North Carolina. For more information see www.lenovo.com
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About SED International Holdings, Inc.
Founded in 1980, SED International Holdings, Inc. is a multinational, preferred distributor of leading computer technology, consumer electronics, small appliances and cellular products. The Company also offers custom-tailored supply chain management services ideally suited to meet the priorities and distribution requirements of the e-commerce, Business-to-Business and Business-to-Consumer markets. Headquartered near Atlanta, Georgia with business operations in California; Florida; Georgia; Texas; Bogota, Colombia and Buenos Aires, Argentina, SED serves a customer base of over 10,000 channel partners and retailers in the U.S. and Latin America. To learn more, please visit www.SEDonline.com; or follow us on Twitter @SEDIntl.
Statements made in this Press Release that are not historical or current facts are “forward-looking statements.” These statements often can be identified by the use of terms such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believes,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “approximate” or “continue,” or the negative thereof. The Company wishes to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Any forward-looking statements represent management’s best judgment as to what may occur in the future. However, forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and important factors beyond the control of the Company that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from historical results of operations and events and those presently anticipated or projected. These factors include adverse economic conditions, entry of new and stronger competitors, inadequate capital, unexpected costs, failure to gain product approval in foreign countries and failure to capitalize upon access to new markets. The Company disclaims any obligation to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statement or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events. These factors and others are discussed in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis” section of the Company’s Reports on Forms 10-K and 10Q available at www.sec.gov.
