Targus steps up presence

Targus, the $500 million US-based global supplier of accessories for mobile computing, has announced setting up of its direct presence in India. The company has been operating for the past three years through a distribution partner, which will continue to function.

Targus presently offers a full range of accessories for notebook computers including a wide range of carry cases in different styles and materials, a range of notebook mice, hubs, cables and connectivity items as well as notebook security products, power products and accessories for the Apple iPod.

"We are proud to setup Targus India office as India is strategic to our overall long term plan in the Apac region and I am pleased to see increased demand for our accessories and laptop cases in India," said Von Bescherer, MD, Targus Asia-Pacific.

"The proximity of Bangalore to other major IT cities like Chennai and Hyderabad makes it the perfect location for our office. Bangalore also has many business to business opportunities and on the retail side of the business the premium mall culture is developing at a fast rate," he added.

Targus has been developing business throughout India and particularly in Bangalore for the past three years during which the annual turnover grew by 70 per cent (CAGR) through strategic alliances with partners such as HP, IBM, Acer, Sony, Toshiba and Apple. The company presently has sales of $2 million in India.

"The business strategy for the coming year will be to strengthen the route to market by further developing our IT retail and reseller channel and to appoint more exclusive retailers in each major city to ensure widespread availability to satisfy the growing demand we are experiencing," said Sukumaran Pallikara, general manager, Targus India.

Targus India currently sells its products through their distribution partner NEST Systems and is looking at options of setting up a subsidiary and also manufacturing either directly or through a partner.