Sys-Tek - the new UK and Ireland sales agent for IDEC products

Sys-Tek will benefit from Schiller's track record within the industrial automation arena. Most recently serving as Managing Director of IDEC Electronics UK, he was responsible for introducing IDEC's innovative products to the UK marketplace and growing significant market share for the company in a variety of industrial, commercial and agricultural automation sectors.

Through Sys-Tek, Schiller will work with customers to identify specific needs and deliver appropriate products via existing sales channels that he set up for IDEC UK during his tenure as Managing Director of that company. In addition, Sys-Tek will provide a full technical and system integration support capability through the IDEC ISSIP (Solutions and Systems Integration Partner) programme, which Schiller rolled out in 2005. ISSIP offers an established, technically capable network of industrial automation software specialists and panel builders with all the expertise necessary to serve the needs of a broad range of industrial, commercial and agricultural end-users.

IDEC in Europe

IDEC's European (EU) business previously comprised two operations, one in Basingstoke (UK) and the other in Hamburg (Germany). Removing the duplication of functions (including finance, logistics and customer service) and reallocating costs associated with these functions to the sales effort has resulted in a more tightly consolidated Europe-wide operation, with core distribution facilities based in Hamburg and the more agile sales operation provided by Staffordshire-based Sys-Tek, aided by its sales channel partners throughout the UK and Ireland. According to Schiller, the revised relationship with IDEC UK's sales channel partners has brought new stimulus and enthusiasm to their individual teams - resulting in many new market opportunities.

Indeed, far from experiencing any discontinuity in the service previously offered by IDEC UK, customers in the UK will find the new structure offering security of supply and reliable shipment of product either from the Hamburg distribution hub (for those migrating to IDEC EU) or from the existing UK sales channel network, which will continue to offer the advantages of locally supported and stocked product. The Sys-Tek model ensures continued alignment to the UK sales network, whether that be authorised distributor or ISSIP partner.

Explaining his reasons for setting up Sys-Tek and his aspirations for securing the growth of IDEC's European markets, Stephen Schiller comments: "It was important for me that the best business model was adopted by IDEC, ensuring we had the right vehicle to meet the growth plans for Europe. I am still very much involved with IDEC and their strategy, which is great, and the sales focus I now have with Sys-Tek is perfectly placed to achieve these aims. Our users want to know they have local sales channels with available product and technical support when they need it; all in all, this network provides our customers with a powerful combination of application skills and product knowledge that will help them achieve competitive advantage."

In addition to IDEC products, Sys-Tek, as an independent company, is also planning to offer complementary products. For example, Sys-Tek is already selling the Secomea system for adding M2M (machine-to-machine) communications to machines and systems that need secure, remote monitoring and access.

Visit the Sys-Tek website at www.sys-tek.co.uk.