Distribution Watch: Synnex, Tech Data, GTDC

Happy Thursday all, and welcome back to Distribution Watch. This week we’ve got the latest news from Synnex (SNX), Tech Data (TECD) and the Global Technology Distribution Council (GTDC), so let’s get started.

Synnex: Sennheiser has signed a distribution agreement with New Age Electronics, Synnex’s consumer electronics and gaming division, to provide select products within the company’s consumer electronics line to its channel resellers.

The agreement expands Synnex’s existing distribution relationship with Sennheiser for the company’s conferencing solutions, microphones and other equipment in the commercial space, according to the announcement. New Age Electronics will distribute Sennheiser’s products to U.S. retailers and work to build new customer relationships through the agreement.

"Our agreement with New Age Electronics enables us to reach strategic retail segments more efficiently, increasing both our market penetration and brand awareness in the U.S.," said Keith Kranepool, vice president of Sales, Americas at Sennheiser, in a statement. "By leveraging New Age Electronics' network of retailers, we have an immediate opportunity to increase our success in the gaming, sports and lifestyle segments, among others."

Tech Data: Tech Data has partnered with Incipio to bring the company's mobile device accessories to retailers, Apple specialists and solution providers in the United States. The agreement will allow Tech Data to sell Incipio's solutions through the distributor's Mobile Solutions & Retail division.

Tech Data partners will also have access to ClamCase's iPad keyboard case and peripheral devices following the company's acquisition by Incipio in June. Partners will also have access to Incipio's Braven audio brand in the coming months, according to the announcement.

"Our partnership with Tech Data is exciting for our company and we see significant opportunity to reach new customers, specifically through commercial, education, healthcare, and government segments," said Joe Echegaray, vice president of Sales at Incipio. "One of our strengths of the Incipio enterprise is OEM, where our speed and flexibility are unmatched, and we look forward to growing our mobility business with Tech Data's strategic approach to the industry."

GTDC: The Global Technology Distribution Council hosted the 2015 GTDC Summit this week in San Francisco, where channel and distribution executives gathered to discuss the state of the IT channel. The GTDC board of directors also approved the appointment of Arrow Electronics chairman and CEO Mike Long as the organizations new vice chairman, according to the announcement.

“It’s exhilarating to be part of such a transformative period in our industry’s history, and I’m honored to take on this role as the GTDC and our vendor partners connect with distribution in ways that are truly groundbreaking," said Long.

The conference, which is now in its 13th year, also included sessions from GTDC Chairman and Synnex CEO Kevin Murai as well as Red Hat CEO Jim Whitehurst.

That's all for now, folks. Thanks for reading and enjoy the rest of your week. And as always, keep on distributing.