A passage from Holland to SA for new Lexmark MD

By Ranka Jovanovic for Lexmark International SA

Johannesburg, 22 Aug 2002

Lexmark SA has announced that Hans Horn of Lexmark Netherlands will take over from Mark Hiller as MD of the local operation with immediate effect.

Horn has been with Lexmark since 1996 and was appointed MD of Lexmark Netherlands in 1998.

Outgoing MD Mark Hiller, whose plans to leave the company were announced in April, says Horn has seen the revenue of the Netherlands business triple and has positioned Lexmark as the number two printer company in that country.

Horn says the South African business model has a number of new and unique aspects to it. "The services are in-house and the growth potential is enormous."

He says Lexmark International has seen significant growth over a generally tough period for global economic markets. A month ago, Lexmark International, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, announced record revenue and earnings per share for the second quarter of 2002. Revenue rose 8% to $1.058 billion and earnings per share rose from 65c to 67c.

Lexmark International last year acquired Venture Computer, its sole local distributor, from the company`s directors. While recognising the achievements of the local operation so far, Horn says the parent company believes the best is yet to come in the South African market. "We will invest in the local business to see Lexmark become the number two vendor in all market segments - retail, corporate and SME."

Lexmark SA claims a strong position in the local retail sector with 20% market share for inkjet printers, which is better than the company`s worldwide average. But the challenge for the SA operation will be to catch up with its worldwide market share levels in the business space. "The corporate and SME marketplace is where we will focus on in the coming years," says Horn.

Hiller says Lexmark held 5.5% of the local laser printer market at the end of 2001, compared with 14% to 20% in other countries. "The goal is to be at the 15% level by 2004."

Horn, who arrived with his family from Holland only 10 days ago, expects to stay in the position for three to four years.