Bechtle Forms Alliance with Atea.

• Bechtle gains access to markets in Scandinavia and Baltic states
• Second international alliance after agreement with PC Connection in US
• Further expansion of global network planned

Neckarsulm, 23 May 2014 – Bechtle AG and Oslo-based Atea ASA have signed a cooperation agreement. Following a similar agreement in March with PC Connection in the US, this marks another step in Bechtle’s pursuit to strengthen its international network through alliances. Both alliance partners hope the agreement will better position them to deal with the increasing demand by global businesses for comprehensive customer support. Atea and Bechtle have previously worked together on customer projects, to the full satisfaction of both sides. Atea is the leading provider of IT products and infrastructure services in Scandinavia and the Baltic states. The company has 83 locations in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

“The strategic alliance with Atea and PC Connection is a great opportunity for us to accommodate market demands in a globalised economy. It also opens up new ways to improve customer retention and satisfaction,” says Jürgen Schäfer, COO IT E-commerce, Bechtle AG. Bechtle’s partnership with PC Connection in the first quarter marks the beginning of an international alliance that now includes Atea. “We now have access to new markets in Scandinavia and the Baltic states. Up until now these countries were missing from our European map,” emphasises Mr Schäfer. The most important decision criteria for the alliance, in addition to a comprehensive IT product portfolio, were lean processes and a high level of service on par with Bechtle’s quality standards.

Positive Reaction from Customers and Manufacturers.

Leading up to the agreement signing, Bechtle surveyed several manufacturing partners and international customers. “The reactions were all very positive. What really encouraged us to go ahead with our plans were Atea’s values, which in large part mirrored our own corporate culture. With our shared customer orientation, quality processes, flexibility and easy-going rapport, we’re confident of a long and successful partnership and the prospect of generating significant levels of incremental revenue,” commented James Napp, managing director of Bechtle direct UK and responsible for global alliances.

Further Expansion of Global Network Planned.

Bechtle plans to continue pursuing partnerships within and beyond Europe. “It has become clear that globally active companies are increasingly selecting their suppliers according to pre-defined criteria and relying on domestic IT partners for recommendations for their international branches,” explains James Napp. The alliance with Atea is an important step in continuing Bechtle’s internationalisation strategy. Bechtle currently operates e-commerce companies in fourteen European countries.