Bechtle Brand ARP Opens Subsidiary in Belgium.

• Continued expansion of IT e-commerce segment
• Sales team supported by country-specific online shop
• New ARP division manager

On 1 April 2014, IT service and e-commerce provider Bechtle continued its expansion by founding a new ARP subsidiary in Belgium. The ARP brand, part of Bechtle’s e-commerce segment, is now represented by subsidiaries in six European countries. This newest location falls in line with Bechtle’s growth strategy, which includes introducing ARP and Comsoft into the 14 countries where Bechtle direct is already successfully established. Bechtle direct entered the Belgian market in 2000, followed by Comsoft in 2010. A project office was set up in Brussels in 2012 to focus on public-sector customers.

Neckarsulm/Neerpelt, Belgium, 1 April 2014 – Bechtle continues its interna-tional expansion by founding a new ARP subsidiary in Belgium as part of its three-brand e-commerce strategy. The strategy, which aims to expand Bechtle’s presence in Europe, is generally to break into a new market with Bechtle direct, followed by ARP and Comsoft direct. “ARP is a great oppor-tunity for the Bechtle Group to grow its market share. Belgium is an attractive market with great business potential. We’re very confident that the experience of managing director Jan Prinsen and his well-trained sales team will help ARP establish itself quickly and grow profitably, solidifying our position as an IT e-commerce partner,” says Jürgen Schäfer, COO IT E-commerce, Bechtle AG.

Optimum Conditions.

ARP’s business and public-sector customers in Belgium can choose from some 30,000 IT products from the online shop or catalogue, which include all major manufacturers and ARP’s own brands: ARP Made, ARP Product and Claxan. Products can be ordered online or over the phone. The new online shop,www.arp.be , offers up-to-date prices and availability infor-mation as well as promotional offers specific to the Belgian market. “Our extensive portfolio and our online shop, which is available in Dutch, English, German and French, provide the perfect foundation for a successful market debut. In addition, we can benefit from the experience of our colleagues in the Netherlands,” comments Ilse Boonen, Sales Team Leader, ARP Belgium. ARP’s newest e-commerce subsidiary is headquartered in Neerpelt and led by Jan Prinsen. The 45-year-old managing director has been with ARP since 1995 and will continue to manage ARP Netherlands as well. In addition to being well-acquainted with the Belgian market, he has an excellent contact network with manufacturers.

New ARP Division Manager.

ARP also welcomed a new ARP division manager into its ranks on 1 April 2014: Ramón Roumans, a 43-year-old Dutchman with extensive experience in the e-commerce sector. Mr Roumans spent the last 14 years in various positions at Staples, where his responsibilities included e-commerce and logistics projects. “We’re very pleased to have Ramón Roumans join us. Not only does he bring with him a broad range of experience, his personality also makes him an excellent fit for us on a personal level,” states Mr Schäfer.