Westcoast sets out with HANNspree to carve out AV reputation

Westcoast has indicated that it is going to carve out a name for itself in the AV arena with a fresh management appointment and a vendor signing to support and bolster the portfolio.

The distributor has been signed up by touch screen display specialist HANNspree and has taken on board Richard Carr to manage the relationship.

Richard Carr, who has a CV that includes a decade at Sony as well as spells at Viewsonic and Annodata, steps into the AV and display product manager role at Westcoast.

Alex Tatham, managing director at Westcoast, said that touch screens were growing in importance and popularity and would appeal to some of the key markets it operates in.

“HANNspree has a range of product that will help in the corporate, industrial and education sectors as well as an outstanding, complete run-rate range," he said.

Tatham admitted that the distributor had not been known for being a major AV player in the past but was keen to change that situation.

"We will have a new focus on AV and Monitors with a new product team, and increased sales effort in an area that Westcoast has not been recognized for in the past. All that now changes – and our new HANNspree relationship is just one of the first of a number of new product signings that will take Westcoast to new customers and enhance our existing relationships," he said.

Talking about Carr's appointment Tatham said that he had a "knowledge of the market and enthusiastic approach" that would now be used to drive forward its efforts in this area.

From a HANNspree point of view its territory manager Martin Kent said that it wanted to widen its channel with Westcoast.

“HANNspree looks forward to working with Westcoast on specific touch projects which will be supported by our growing touch portfolio, and continuing to grow our B2B and public sector business via Westcoast’s resellers," he said.