Toshiba announces record year
Mobile business continues to boom
The New Zealand office of Toshiba (Australia) Pty. Limited, Information Systems Division (ISD) has capped off its best
calendar year ever with record revenue and unit sales and a return to its leadership position in the IDC Q4 New Zealand
notebook preliminary market share figures.
“The company increased revenue by 60% for the calendar year 2003 over calendar year 2002, with pleasing results across
the board,” said Steve Ford, Country Manager for Toshiba in New Zealand.
In IDC’s preliminary Q4 marketshare figures Toshiba was ranked as the leading notebook vendor with 35% of the notebook
market, 10% ahead of its nearest rival HP. On the preliminary total 2003 view, HP at 31% managed to eke out Toshiba for
the top spot by 2% in the notebook market.
Toshiba started 2003 fulfilling its single largest notebook order with over 3000 notebooks going to 126 Ministry of
Education secondary schools in January with 5000 more going out throughout the year.
The surge in Toshiba’s retail business from zero to 25%, was a major highlight with several retail partners actively
getting behind Toshiba and its retail products, which typically are the first to introduce new and powerful products,
suitable for the power/lifestyle user.
“Our corporate business continues to flourish and we expect continued growth in this sector as businesses update their
machines for the first time since Y2K,” Steve added.
“The IDC figures demonstrate that Toshiba’s focus on mobile computing is right in tune with changing corporate and
consumer needs,” Steve continued. “Since pioneering the notebook computer in 1985, our aim has always been to provide
the best quality notebook across all markets, and set the standard for innovation excellence.”
He cited one of the main factors driving notebook sales was the increasing acceptance of notebooks as the ideal tools
to support busy lifestyles where people and organisations were trying to strike the right balance between work and
personal time.
“There is a greater understanding of the common sense of mobility and recognition of the affordability and value for
money of notebooks. The ability of notebooks to double as a portable entertainment unit also adds to the appeal.”
As Toshiba is the only 100 per cent channel centric vendor in New Zealand, Steve also credited Toshiba’s reseller
channel, for the results.
“The customer service and support provided by our channel partners really help to distinguish Toshiba in the industry.
Their commitment to Toshiba and their dedication to answering individual customer requirements have again been key in
helping us achieve market leader status,” he said.
Another highlight of the year was Toshiba Mobile Plus Reseller, The Laptop Company in Wellington being named Toshiba
reseller of the year for Australia and New Zealand – the first time in 13 years that an New Zealand firm had been
recognised as such.