Acorn Continues Worldwide Expansion Programme
Appoints distributor in South Africa
Acorn Computers, the leading supplier of 32 bit RISC based personal computers, has appointed Oak Tree Technologies as its sole distributor in South Africa. The appointment is part of Acorn's strategy to broaden its worldwide presence and open up new international markets. Oak Tree Technologies, based in Johannesburg, will distribute the complete range of Acorn products including the newly launched Risc PC.
The appointment of Oak Tree Technologies marks a strategic decision by Acorn to ramp up activity in this region. This will include a programme to recruit new distribution outlets to cover all major territories in the country. Software specific to RISC OS will also be available through Oak Tree Technologies which will source all third party products and peripherals through UK based Lindis International.
Bob Coates International General Manager of Acorn Computers, comments:
"Acorn has been in discussions with the South African political community for some time and we believe the current political changes mean it is the right time for us to develop in this new market. Our research has shown us that the opportunities for Acorn in the education market are set to rocket in the next twelve months.The appointment of Oak Tree, with its established sales, support and distribution operation, coupled with the launch of the Risc PC, ideally positions Acorn to take full advantage of this growing market."
"We will be providing a one-stop-shop for the growing Acorn community in South Africa," says Wayne Postma, Managing Director of Oak Tree Technologies. "We have already invested heavily in the Acorn range establishing a comprehensive support and warranty programme for all users. We plan to market and promote the products very proactively - in particular the Risc PC - which we believe will offer us a significant opportunity. Our key market will be education, both the special needs and mainstream sectors, as well as the gowing home computer sector and the graphics and DTP markets."
Lindis International, an Acorn partner, will be supplying Oak Tree Technologies with all software and peripherals. Jonathan Thomson of Lindis International comments: "The move to increase Acorn's presence in the South African market provides a major opportunity for 3rd parties and opens a whole new market for them. By working with Oak Tree Technologies we will ensure that the South African market has access to a wide range of applications and that the developer community shares in the success of Acorn's overseas expansion."
Founded in 1978, with 1992 revenues of £48.2m, Acorn Computers is the premier supplier of IT solutions to UK education and has been the leading provider of 32 bit RISC based personal computers since 1987. In 1990, Acorn established an associate company, Advanced RISC Machines (ARM) in a joint venture with Apple Computer and VLSI Technology Inc to develop and exploit further Acorn's RISC processor technology. Acorn works closely with a strong community of other industry partners, users and software developers to provide innovative technology solutions for the education, consumer, publishing and international markets. Acorn Computers Limited is part of the Acorn Computer Group plc, which went public on the USM in 1983.