The Sahara Group has announced its intention to restructure its subsidiary portfolio as part of its strategy to manage and leverage off higher levels of growth it continues to experience.
Atul Gupta, chairman and MD at Sahara, said the reason for the realignment of its divisions is consistent with the various changes being made to the operational processes and to also ensure that it all ties in with the upgrade of its enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.
"This is a natural step in our global growth strategy, one that has at its base the intention to clearly segment distribution and vendor portfolios," said Gupta. "We are adopting a phased approach that will initially involve the streamlining of our distribution and brand management divisions. This will see an amalgamation of three regional Sahara Distribution companies into Annex Distribution."
The three regions involved are Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth.
Sahara Computers is the group's brand vendor and multinational assembly division. As a result of the move, the company's product range will be incorporated into the Annex Distribution brand line up and offering.
As such, Annex Distribution will maintain its position as master distributor within the group. To this end the company is currently focused on business migration and the deployment of additional resources.
In response to the question of timing and value to its market, Gupta pointed out that this development should be seen in the context of the culmination of steady, progressive growth across the group and the natural maturity of roles of each division.
"We are in the process of engaging directly with our customers and assisting them in ensuring a smooth transition. Ultimately this will yield substantial benefit for our customers through a streamlined structure and improved operational efficiency," Gupta adds.
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Established in 1997, Sahara Computers assembles and markets PCs and peripherals through a global distribution network that covers both established and emerging markets.
The company is an official distributor and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for a variety of top international vendors including: AMD, Creative, Delta, Epson, Foxconn, Intel, Lexmark, Maxtor, Microsoft, Samsung, SMC Networks and Symantec.
The core focus of Sahara's operation is the consistent and effective supply of product to rapidly expanding market sectors including corporate, government, digital lifestyle and mobile and wireless.
This operation is managed via the company's head office in Midrand, Gauteng, considered a central business hub. The Sahara business network stretches across South Africa and includes Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth.
Sahara Computers has successfully extended its reach to key regions and emerging global markets including Dubai, China and India. The Sahara brand is also well known across Africa, with established company presence in countries like Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique and Namibia.
Sahara is also an accredited member of the Proudly South African campaign as well as the SAVANT global SA brand awareness initiative. Corporate social responsibility is a key priority and it continues to contribute towards projects and programs aimed at individual and community upliftment.
The name Sahara is widely associated with the development of sport, including soccer, cricket, and rugby, the support of ICT literacy and skills development initiatives, and access to much needed technology in rural areas.
Amongst the many sponsorship/ technology supply agreements in place, Sahara also concluded a deal with Mamelodi Sundowns, a top ranking soccer club competing in South Africa's Professional Soccer League.
The sponsorship is underpinned by the provision of communications infrastructure and mobile technology - including laptops, notebooks and digital lifestyle technology - and signals Sahara's commitment to the club and South African soccer in general.
Effective marketing and generating awareness are significant elements of the company's ongoing marketing campaign.
Under the direction of Atul Gupta, chairman and MD of Sahara, the company is on course to realise its vision of Sahara's vision to become a truly global brand and premier IT supplier throughout Africa.
For more information on Sahara Computers, its products and services, visit www.sahara.co.za
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