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Cape Town - HTC has launched a local office to grow its presence in South Africa and then on into the Sub Saharan region.
The smartphone manufacturer will retain Leaf International Communications as its sole distribution partner for South Africa although the nature of Leaf's involvement will change.
Jon French, HTC Vice President of Sales and Operations for the EMEA region, told Telkom Do Gaming in an exclusive interview that HTC is looking to build the foundations for a strong brand in South Africa before replicating it elsewhere in Africa.
“The move into South Africa has nothing to do with our relationship with Leaf, but was merely a change in the distribution strategy for Sub Saharan Africa. Leaf has been a great partner. As a major brand, you want your own people to drive growth in the region,” he says.
As a result, HTC has appointed Ian Shore as country manager. Shore is well respected within in the mobile industry where he has worked for almost 15 years and was previously head of product at Samsung Mobile.
French adds that HTC retains Leaf as a strategic partner who will service 8ta, Cell C, Nashua Mobile, Autopage Cellular and Virgin Mobile, while HTC will focus its direct resources on MTN and Vodacom.
HTC Vice-President of Sales and Operations, Jon French.
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Interestingly, the changeover began around April last year around the time that French moved from being executive director for the UK, Ireland and South Africa to his current position. Shore was then appointed late last year.
French says HTC's aim is to build the brand locally and the market's understanding of what sets HTC smartphones apart from its competitors. Shore adds that the focus for HTC locally will be on HTC's Android devices.
“We'll be focusing on the Hero product set initially (ie. phones launched in multiple markets) which is a strong family of devices and will help build the HTC brand locally,” French says.
That's not to say that HTC won't be bringing in Windows Mobile smartphones. French says HTC has been with Microsoft since the beginning of Windows Mobile and remains committed to the partnership. Interestingly, HTC is probably better known for its Windows Mobile devices in South Africa.
And while HTC's certainly shown its belief in the local market by launching a regional office in tough global economic times, it is on the back of a poor fourth quarter in 2011, where the company's results dipped slightly compared to the same period in 2010, with operating income dropping 26 percent.
Locally, both French and Shore will undoubtedly be aware that they face stiff opposition on the Android front from the likes of Samsung, the company both men worked at before joining HTC. And on the Windows front, Nokia's Lumia will no doubt give them a run for their money. - Telkom Do Gaming
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Simon, wrote
Finally......my is one year old and have now bought Samsung note largely due to leaf's activity (or lack off)
iDuncan, wrote
Had the Desire, now Desire S....very smart phones....must concede its better than my iPhone 4s in many regards. Welcome HTC.
kenny Jali, wrote
i've been using HTC phones since2009,with no problems,even when i'm bit careless they stood the test of time
Henry S, wrote
got myself the HTC CHA CHA .............and im loving it!!! This is really good news!!!! best android phone ever.
Stephen , wrote
Anonymous, wrote
Here is some history people. HTC was the first company to come out with the smartphone and the first to use the anroid system. It is a Taiwanese brand that has hit the world market by storm. I am glad that the company is finally in South Africa.
Anonymous, wrote
Anonymous, wrote
Anonymous, wrote
HTC fan, wrote
Anonymous, wrote
I need some assistance please. My HTC Wildfire sync with Bluetooth has a mind of it's own. Despite the box being checked,it is paired but not connected sometimes.
Ronnie, wrote
I have a Desire HD and it is great. More involvement from the company will only increase operational support which will be of benefit for all HTC users. Good News
Mags, wrote
Johan, wrote
Hope this time it goes better. I left HTC purely because they never featured in Cape Town when I neaded them. I wanted to stay with them, but could find nobody who could show me or help me with the HTC product I was lookng for. They lost me to another brand. I wish them luck.
Tanya, wrote
My HTC phones are the BEST phones I have ever had - welocme to HTC, just rid yourself of the useless leaf communications !
Anonymous, wrote
I had an HTC once but after the horrendous repair service and customer support (lack of) that I received from Leaf at Cedar Square I will never buy an HTC phone again. I had to drive through from PTA to fourways several times after being told my phone had been repaired when it had in fact not been repaired.
Thabo, wrote
Anonymous, wrote
thats just bloody great!!u come and open 1 office in cpt .and the rest of us in jhb and surrounding areas?? htc reali has the best phones but not the bestbrains
Anonymous, wrote
Anonymous, wrote
This is a brilliant move. I have an HTC - its the best phone I ever had! This is therefore warmly welcomed
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