Samsung will clear dealer claims within a month

As a consequence of an already growing level of resentment amongst its

channel community with regards to pending claims, Samsung India has said that

the company is looking forward to resolving all issues related to pending

genuine dealer claims within a period of one month.

"We have cleared a significant proportion of pending claims and are

carefully sifting the others to segregate the genuine claims from the false

claims. Our endeavor will be to clear all genuine dealer claims at the earliest.

I think we should be able to do so within a month's time," asserted Harry

Ahn, GM (IT Business), Samsung India.

"There are a lot of small and big players who have got a big sum of

pending money with Samsung. The company should do something about this fast,

otherwise its credibility will be at stake," pointed out a prominent

reseller from Kanpur. Marred by a dearth of active channel facing figures,

Samsung India is certainly going through a revamping phase as key channel

players across the country feel confused about the day-to-day state of affairs

of the company.

"We don't even have any idea about the organizational structure of the

company now. They have not communicated much to us on this front. I think that

they should come forward and inform the channel community about their exact

state of affairs," opined a leading channel partner of Nehru Place.

However, Samsung claimed that it has already introduced its policy to the

channel community and is looking forward to incorporating more vigor to its

channel activities in the near future. "We have already announced to the

trade our new channel policies that will drive our IT business this year. With

our new, transparent and process-oriented guidelines, we are seeking to

strengthen our IT Business as well as grow the business of our trade partners.

Our guidelines for the channel this year will follow a different

framework," said Harry.

Zutshi is Deputy MD, Samsung India Samsung India Electronics Ltd (SIEL) has announced the elevation of Ravinder Zutshi to the position of Deputy Managing Director. Prior to this, he was Director (Sales and Marketing), Samsung India. In his new capacity, he will oversee the company's Consumer Electronics, Home Appliances and IT business, along with the Corporate Functions of the company. Zutshi who has been with Samsung India since its inception in December 1995, has over 30 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry, and also holds the position of VP (North), Consumer Electronics and TV Manufacturers Association (CETMA)

Moving forward on the retail front, the company is likely to drive business

through its brand stores. "We have identified 1400 SIs with whom we will

work closely to promote Samsung products to end-customers," he informed. As

part of its new policies, the company will provide large deal pricing support

only against end-user confirmation by Samsung sales team and receipt of order

details. No special pricing will be cleared only for stocking to Star Partners.

Vivek Prakash in Kobian now Kobian Pte Ltd, Singapore (owner of the Mercury brand) has announced the new management team for the Indian market. Vivek Prakash has joined Kobian Worldwide operations as Director (Sales & Marketing). He will also be concurrently the CEO of Kobian India operations. His role will include overseeing the management overhaul and the new growth initiatives of the brand in the Indian context as well. Others who have joined Kobian include Sanjay Peer as the Country GM (PC Components Business) in India and Aseem Kumar as lead Product Manager. In his new role, Peer will be instrumental in driving the growth for the Mercury PC peripherals business in India. Kobian has also set up a new 'Lifestyle and Computing Biz Group' in India. Kumar, who will lead this group, will conceptualize and come up with computing and lifestyle products customized to the Indian market needs, from the existing global product portfolio of Kobian worldwide.

Speaking about the growth engines for the company in 2005, Harry said that

Samsung would focus its investments in developing note PC, TFT and MFP market

size. "These three combined together will form the growth engine. We would

organize channel meets in May 2005 to share with our trade partners channel

schemes and business plans."

ZIA ASKARI