i2, the leading mobile provider in the Middle East and Africa disclosed that it acquired Allied TC, a leading GSM handset provider based in London.
i2 revealed its expansion plans in September, outlining a three pronged approach for the growth of the company. The plan includes new market penetration, the re-invigoration of its retail network and several corporate acquisitions. The acquisition of Allied TC follows that of Cellempower, a value added services and mobile marketing company, making Allied the second acquisition in a series that the company plans action in the near future.
When asked about the strategic benefit of acquiring Allied TC, Abdul Hameed Al Sunaid stated that “by acquiring Allied, we will surpass the12 million mark in terms of handset sales by end of 2007”. According to Sunaid, Allied TC has been instrumental in establishing working relationships with traders and operators in various markets resulting in i2 launching its operations in the respective countries.
“ Allied brings more to the table than just increased unit sales; They will provide i2 with a strong foothold in the United Kingdom and other European markets, as i2 will provide the equivalent for Allied in the Middle East and Africa” concluded Sunaid.
Allied TC represents all major brands in the UK including Nokia, Sony Ericsson,Motorola, Siemans, NEC, Alcatel and Samsung. In addition, the company has demonstrated its strength and expertise to i2 group, in light of the fierce competition of the western market in terms of mobile prices and trade volumes.
According to Amar AlKadhi, Managing Director - Allied TC, “Allied will benefit from becoming part of the i2 group due to the increase in working capital and human resources. Additionally, i2 gives Allied the opportunity to increase its trade volume in new markets, particularly Africa”.
Sunaid and AlKadhi both summarized the acquisition as one that will allow i2 and Allied TC to complement each other in their current operational networks as Allied TC continues to operate as an independent profit center. The two companies will lend support to one another. Allied will expose i2 to European Markets and their respective local operators such as Vodafone, Orange and France Telecom as i2 will do the same for Allied in the Middle East and Africa.
About i2:
Founded in 1993 in Saudi Arabia, i2 is the region’s largest and most diverse mobile phone provider. Over 1,300 employees across 350 stores in 20 countries are dedicated to providing i2 customers with technological solutions and services that enhance their lifestyles and shopping experience. i2 stores offer the widest range of mobile phones, PDAs, wireless technology, software, value added services and mobile accessories in the region. It is the first mobile phone provider to offer its customers a life-time warranty and a comprehensive after sales maintenance program on all products purchased in store or online. To better serve their customers, i2 has expanded its reach to include i2 magazine, i2 club, i2 prestige, i2 café and other innovative support programs. For more information about i2 products and services please visit www.i2-mobile.com . i2 operates in: Bahrain, Chad, Egypt, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jordan, KSA, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mauritius, Morocco, Reunion, Senegal, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE and UK.
