FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
gen-i simplifies IT Supply Chain
AUCKLAND, 14 May, 2001 - Internet integrator gen-i has taken a significant step to simplify its IT infrastructure supply
chain by partnering with New Zealand’s premier distributor, Tech Pacific (NZ) Ltd.
The agreement will see gen-i move its entire distribution warehousing and commissioning facilities to the Tech Pacific
facility, located in Albany.
Tech Pacific will store all computer hardware and software destined for gen-i’s clients and also provide a facility
where gen-i will configure customised IT solutions for delivery to clients.
John Bessey, General Manager of Procurement at gen-i says the new agreement will let the company deliver the product
element of its total solution in a more timely and cost effective manner.
“Such a change was a logical step for our company, says John. “To maintain a leadership position and create additional
value in the areas of strategic sourcing and procurement, it was essential to set up this sort of operation.”
“Significantly, our clients will be able to take advantage of reduced shipping times and operational excellence of a
premier distributor like Tech Pacific. It will also allow us to reduce procurement costs, which will ultimately benefit
clients.”
Tech Pacific (NZ) Ltd, Channel Manager, Lloyd Jenkins says, “we are working closely with gen-i to develop a supply chain
which has one common warehouse and distribution facility serving the vendor, the distributor and gen-i as the
infrastructure integrator.
“One of the reasons gen-i selected Tech Pacific was that it provides services to leading vendors like Hewlett Packard.
These vendors, many of them gen-i suppliers, move product from international plants straight into Tech Pacific, rather
than having a staging warehouse of their own in New Zealand.”
“It is part of a growing trend for many leading vendors and resellers to outsource their warehousing and distribution
processes,” says Jenkins. “It was an obvious extension for an internet integrator like gen-i to move its storage and
configuration systems into a hub which is shared with major vendors. This is a quantum leap forward over the traditional
strategy of outsourcing to a freight company.
IT distribution is where we excel, and we pride ourselves on our capability to source, store and move technology
products better than anyone.”
As part of the new outsourcing agreement, gen-i will move all warehousing and commissioning to Tech Pacific. This has
resulted in six warehousing staff redundancies at gen-i.
gen-i is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cullen Investments Limited. gen-i's blue chip clients include Air New Zealand
Ansett, Department of Corrections, Department of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, National
Australia Bank, New Zealand Dairy Board, Simpson Grierson and WestpacTrust.
About gen-i
gen-i limited is the first and largest New Zealand-based e-business Internet integrator, focussing on designing,
building, implementing and supporting e-business solutions and systems for large corporate customers. With over 400
people at offices in major centres in New Zealand, gen-i extends customer support worldwide – both online and through a
network of service partners.
gen-i has four major areas of focus and expertise: Infrastructure, Ventures, fieldForce and Procurement. gen-i
Infrastructure is geared to providing and supporting all the hardware, software and networks required for today’s
e-business – and to achieve that in a number of new ways. gen-i Ventures is an Internet innovation operation geared to
providing knowledge and experience in building e-commerce sites, Intranets, extranets and implementing and supporting a
wide range of e-business & traditional applications. gen-i Field Force is New Zealand’s leading technology engineering onsite capability, expertly
trained and ready to deploy or maintain the country’s leading technology networks. gen-i Procurement provides a fast,
easy and cost-effective way to select, purchase, install and maintain office technologies.
Prior to its name change in 2000, gen-i traded successfully for more than 20 years as Wang New Zealand.
About Tech Pacific
When it comes to distributing technology products and services, the Tech Pacific Group stands alone as the largest and
most successful organisation of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region. A $3 billion company (2000), Tech Pacific has
achieved outstanding growth through capable management, clear strategies for expansion and specialised distribution
systems that are second to none. Tech Pacific had its beginnings in 1981 as a broad-based distributor of information
technology products. Rapid growth during both 1980s and the 1990s has led to the group now operating in nine countries,
with many of the companies having successfully distributed IT products across the Asia Pacific region for more than 10
years. Over the years, it has carefully refined its strategies and systems, creating a unique business formula that has
set it apart from its competitors and made it the distributor of choice for the world’s leading suppliers of IT and
communications products.