Aptec - Excellence in Distribution

3M improves distribution capabilities with Aptec partnership.

Dubai, UAE, 18 February 2010 – 3M's Electro and Communications division announced today that it has strengthened its existing ties with GCC-wide technology distributor Aptec, in a deal that will serve to streamline the distribution process for 3M resellers and end users across the region.

Abdel Rhman Obaid, who heads up 3M's Electro & Communications business in the Middle East said,

"We have been partners with Aptec in the region for almost eight years now, and have been highly satisfied with the results of our partnership. Because of the recent growth in the region, we are now adding to this relationship by passing more of our distribution work on to Aptec and, by so doing, streamlining the distribution process for our operations throughout the Middle East."

He went on to say, "This is a win-win situation for both Aptec and 3M. It empowers us to focus our time and resources on researching and developing new technologies, training and warrantees, and allows Aptec to take on a larger portion of distribution. In 3M together with Aptec can add more value to value added resellers, retailers, dealers and system integrators, providing complete end to end system solutions for network infrastructure - from backbone to workstation for the enterprise, data centre, service provider and construction markets.

According to Sabbahuddin Khan, Business Unit Manager, Aptec will be investing in the partnership by appointing a dedicated product manager who will handle the pre-sale and commercial aspects of distribution, along with a team of technical and sales people. The immediate goal is to align ourselves with the channel requirements such as credit terms, pre-sales support, attractive pricing and immediate availability of stock. Selection of partners and identification of new partners will be an important task as well. The company has also developed a range of specific price incentives for final sale (SPIFF) for 3M resellers and the channel community.

The distribution partnership will focus on 3M Premise Solutions, which offers full data cabling systems in both copper and optical fibre, giving freedom of choice in the design and optimization of the overall network architecture.