Mustek East Africa in drive to widen market share

By Macharia Kamau

Local computer assembler Mustek East Africa plans to review its distribution model in a bid to increase sales in Kenya and spread wings in neighbouring countries.

Mustek will adopt a brand management model that entails each brand has a dedicated manager, who will engage customers directly but deliver products through dealers.

The firm also plans to take advantage of increased uptake of data services by partnering with Zain Kenya to distribute laptops.

With the new model and partnering with Zain, the company is looking at selling upto 5,000 laptops a month.

“Previously, we have been unable to move such volumes due to lack of a strong channel partners. Zain has a wide distribution network in the country and the mobile operator is in the process of re-positioning to offer affordable and reliable data services,” said Albert Kigada (pictured) Mustek’s regional sales and marketing manager. The firm expects the model to shore up market share in Kenya as well as expand operations in the region.

Kigada said the company plans to start selling its products in Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Sudan in coming months.

In Kenya, the firm has been assembling and selling Mecer computers. It also distributes other products like the Class Mate, an intel powered e-learning computer customised for students. Other brands distributed by Mustek include D-link wireless networking gadgets, DSS CCTV, IP cameras and Brother printers.

“Most of our products are growing brand names and this will provide us with the opportunity to grow with the opportunities that are offered by the market,” he said.

Kigada said the company would push Mecer products that have been doing well in the Kenyan market.

“We shall focus on Mecer products and services as they have got a huge growth potential in the regional market,” he said.