3Com SA has echoed the group`s 36% growth for the past four quarters by recording a 24% growth in sales in the last quarter.
Pax Andersson, 3Com`s UK-based international business VP, says the company is really developing in SA. "We are very happy with the good figures coming out of 3Com SA."
Country manager Chris van Niekerk has decided to take up challenges in the security industry after eight years at the helm of 3Com SA. Former colleague Maurizio Zussa is to take on the caretaker role of acting country manager until a successor is appointed.
Andersson says although he is sad to see Van Niekerk go, he is pleased to be involved in appointing his successor. "We are trying very hard to find the right person who will be accepted by the industry."
Emphasising that 3Com is looking for the best possible candidate, Andersson indicates that the appointment of a new country manager for SA is likely to form part of plans to expand the company`s black economic empowerment (BEE) programme.
"We are very open-minded," says Andersson, "but at the same time 3Com wants to be a good corporate citizen and a BEE appointment would be very much in line with the progression of what is happening in SA."
As the local division seeks new leadership, Andersson is upbeat about the future growth of network-based telephony, although admitting that confusion in the channel has inhibited growth in the past.
Andersson says 3Com and all the other suppliers of IP telephony and voice over IP (VOIP) products need to educate the market about the enormous benefits of moving away from analogue systems and converging voice and data networks. "Suppliers need to talk about the benefits of VOIP to grow demand because the market is big enough for all of us."
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