Unsung heroes

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An arbitrary guide to five other distributors playing a key role in the market.

1. Despec MERA Ltd

In the hotseat: Riyaz Jamal

Remit: Middle East & Africa

Speciality: Consumables

Vendor focus: Brother, Canon, Epson, HP, Lexmark

www.despecmera.com

Background: Despec employs 35 people in its Dubai office and is one of the leading consumables specialists. The Dutch-owned firm has a long history of working with the top supplies brands in the market.

2. ITE Distribution FZCO

In the hotseat: Jafer Jafery

Remit: Middle East & Africa

Speciality: Retail products

Vendor focus: Belkin, Palm, Kingston, Logitech, Symantec

www.iteme.com

Background: ITE is a veteran of the MEA distribution market and boasts extensive reach into the retail channel. Last year the firm gained the rights to develop Palm Europe's Middle East business.

3. Ashley LLC

In the hotseat: Ahmed Farahani

Remit: GCC

Speciality: Retail products

Vendor focus: Belkin, Creative, Logitech, MSI, Netgear

www.ashleyllc.com

Background: As a supplier to the likes of Emax, DG Sharaf and Jacky's, Ashley is a distributor that knows the retail sector inside out. Now in its 20th year, Ashley also boasts an office in Kuwait.

4. SIT Distribution FZCO

In the hotseat: Ahmed Al-Azzawi

Remit: GCC

Speciality: Mobility products

Vendor focus: HP, i-mate, Linksys, Microsoft, Nokia

www.sourceit.ae

Background: Rebranded after SourceIT acquired Link Retail last year, SIT now boasts a comprehensive portfolio of consumer devices to augment its smartphone and Windows-enabled PDA expertise.

5. Active IT Distribution FZCO

In the hotseat: Parvez Ahmed

Remit: GCC

Speciality: Components

Vendor focus: Iomega, Swiss Travel, Tripp Lite, US Robotics

www.activefzco.com

Background: Since launching as a Sapphire distie last year, Active has bagged high profile contracts with vendors such as SMC and Tripp Lite. The firm employs 20 people and sales reached US$39m in 2007.


The 2008 Power list
The Middle East boasts one of the most vibrant IT distribution sectors in the world - and a major entry point for any vendor with aspirations to build a regional business. Following an eventful year in the wholesale channel, we bring you an unrivalled guide to the Dubai-based movers and shakers influencing the development of the market.

Top 15 largest Dubai-based distributors
The fifteen largest distributors working out of Dubai, from broad-based distribution outfits to niche specialists and VADs

Saudi stalwarts
A rundown of the leading IT distribution houses based in Saudi Arabia.

Value added aces
Five Dubai-based distributors with value-added pedigree.

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