Fujitsu grows ahead of market

Fujitsu Siemens Computers has gained market share for all form factors in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) PC market and managed an extremely successful entry into the PDA market. The preliminary market data from IDC and Context show that Fujitsu Siemens Computers grew ahead of the market and confirmed the positive trend which the leading European computer company presented at the half year`s press conference on 9 October in Augsburg, Germany.

According to preliminary IDC figures for calendar Q3 - based on shipments in desktops, mobiles and Intel servers - Fujitsu Siemens Computers more than doubled the market performance in Western Europe. While the market returned to a moderate growth of 3% after five consecutive negative quarters, Fujitsu Siemens Computers reports a growth of 7%. In both regions the company strengthened its number three position in the market with 8% and 10% market share in EMEA and Western Europe respectively.

The strong market position is a result of improved sales through the channel addressing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) combined with strong retail initiatives. Also the company`s clear focus on mobility and business-critical computing as strategic areas helped boost sales. Fujitsu Siemens Computers was particularly strong in the notebook and Intel server segment. IDC comments: "Good product positioning, strong back-to-school sales, improved distribution channel strategy in the SME market and continued focus in the mobile computing space contributed to the vendor performance in the region."

In the EMEA notebook and Intel server segment the company was the strongest growing top vendor year on year. Fujitsu Siemens Computers increased notebook shipments by nearly 50% while the market grew by 15%. In the server market, the company reports 23% growth compared to an overall market growth of 6%.

Encouraging results are also coming from key countries: Fujitsu Siemens Computers` shipments in the UK increased by 20.7% in a moderately growing market (plus 3.3%). In the notebook segment Fujitsu Siemens Computers nearly doubled its shipments, in the server segment the company gained fourth position with a growth of 25% (market: plus 8.6%).

In France, Fujitsu Siemens Computers reports shipment growth by 24% while the market grew by 5%, and also states significant success in the notebook segment: plus 230%. In Germany the company maintained its number one position with 20% market share and had a particularly successful quarter in the server market with 26% growth in a flat market. In the desktop market Fujitsu Siemens Computers stopped the decline seen in the previous quarters and strengthened its number one position with a growth of 6%, above the market growth of 4%.

With the PDA Pocket LOOX, Fujitsu Siemens Computers achieved a successful entry into the Western European handheld market, which saw 23% growth year on year. According to preliminary shipment data from research firm Context the leading European computer company with the strategic focus on Mobility, sold nearly 20 000 units from scratch and gained the number seven position with 4% market share. Context said about the company: "Fujitsu Siemens [...] took the market by storm."

At its half-year press conference in Augsburg, Fujitsu Siemens Computers had stated a flat revenue growth at 2.45 billion (preliminary) during the first six months of the 2002/2003 financial year running from April to September 2002. The third calendar quarter had shown particular signs of improvement with strong revenue growth in key segments and countries.