Imation, a worldwide leader in removable data storage media, held a special distributor Iftar meeting on September 25 in Dubai to share the company’s vision of becoming a brand management company by 2011 with all its regional distributors across Middle East and Africa.

This was the first time that regional distributors for Imation, Memorex, HP and TDK have met since the brands have been added to the Imation portfolio.

“As a company, we have been working towards expanding our portfolio in the consumer space over the past five years when we acquired Memorex, HP and TDK,” said Brian Plummer, VP, Imation EMEA.

“This is an opportunity not only to share our vision with our key partners in the region but to help them to understand how they could, in turn, share it with their network of resellers and retailers. We also used this opportunity to understand the various markets and partner focus to help them to grow their business.”

Plummer shared information on the latest acquisitions made by Imation including Memorex, TDK and Memcorp and future product and technology roadmaps.

Imation also had acquired distribution rights for removable storage by IBM, Emtec, Sun/Storagetek, and HP to enhance the commercial (business to business) range where it is currently ranked number one, according to 2006 Estimate Sources (Dataquest, IDC, and Imation).

“While some of the new brands will take time to establish in the region, the Imation brand name in the Middle East is already synonymous with quality and enjoys a strong market share in the Middle East,” said Riyaz Abdulla, regional sales and marketing manager, Imation Middle East and English-speaking East Africa (MEEA).

“The products from the new brands will only enhance our market position and help to consolidate and expand our partners’ business around the region.”

Going forward, Imation will optimise its range of products in the B2B (commercial) space and expand its range of consumer products under clear brands – Imation, Memorex, TDK and HP.