Channel reacts to Sheu's departure

Reaction in the channel to the departure of Synnex managing director Frank Sheu has been nonchalant.

Fellow distributors have largely played down the role of Sheu in the company's recent growth.

Guy Freeland, managing director at Synnex's number one competitor Ingram Micro Australia, said a leader "influences but doesn't make the company".

But he added that Sheu had steered Synnex for a long time and would probably be sorely missed.

Freeland also claimed that Synnex were "coming off the pace — particularly in components and OEM" in the last calendar quarter of 2005.

"We knew that we were gaining market share and it would have been Synnex that was losing it," he said. "In any case, we don't expect major changes and we'll be keeping a watching brief."

Altech Computers national sales manager, Kevin Hartin, was hopeful that a change of guard at Synnex would see a more “sensible policy and approach” in the year ahead.

“Frank played a role in implementing their pricing policy, but he was only one person at the top,” he said. “You don’t have to be a genius to sell parts at ridiculously low prices.

“They may also look to [greater] profits rather than gain total market domination, but there’s still room for everyone in the market.”

Under Sheu Synnex had also expanded into the communications space with the launch of a communications division in August.

Brightpoint managing director Felix Wong was unphased by Sheu’s departure despite the launch of a communications division in August last year.

“When people leave they often take skills and relationships with them,” he said. “At the same time it can also be an opportunity to reinvigorate a business and turn them into a serious competitor. I continue to be cautious and respectful of all competitors.”