Gericom

The Gericom AG ( German Industry Computer ) was in Linz (Upper Austria ) based notebook, computer accessories and TV manufacturers. As a result of the takeover by the Taiwanese " Quanmax, Inc." was renamed the company from 2008 to 2012 as Quanmax AG, now again as an independent S & T AG.

History

The founded by Hermann Oberlehner in 1990, is based in Linz. The company led up to the year 2000 the name S plus S (or S S). Gericom was only from 1993 to 2000 inserted brand name, in connection with the IPO in 2000, the company was renamed to the more well-known self - brand names.

Originally the business of sales of memory chips for industrial and computer equipment, shortly after the company was focusing on distribution of PC systems, computer components and peripherals. Thus, the company itself was active as a distributor for well-known hardware manufacturers, but also presented itself PC systems and notebooks forth. This manufacturing process consisted of assembling modules.

At first was the distribution through the wholesale stores of Metro AG (ie, Media Markt and Saturn), later the company was also supplying small computer retailer and wholesale establishments directly. In 1998, he is the trend of online trading with its own web shop, where end-users can also shop directly. A factory outlet shop addition, it was built in Linz. In addition, increased Gericom its market share by the manufacturer also provided laptops to discount stores supermarkets such as Aldi, Hofer, Plus and Lidl.

The products were not developed and designed, specifically the notebooks were purchased as ready platforms from Taiwan and other Far Eastern countries, the final assembly took place in Linz. Actual manufacturer of notebooks, for example Clevo, Arima, Mitac, FIC, Uniwill, MSI or Quanta. Other manufacturers such as Fujitsu Siemens Computers notebooks provide similarly designed ago.

In the 1990s, Gericom could attract customers of rival companies such as Compaq, Peacock or IBM by the company individually with the retail giant small series or product series for special promotions produced and shopping adapting specifically to the Quartalspreisverfälle the memory and CPU manufacturers. This business model pursued later other OEM manufacturers like Medion or Actebis ( Targa ). Meanwhile the big brands like Hewlett -Packard, Fujitsu Siemens Computers or IBM have adapted to the changing market needs and the price differences are not as serious as in the 1990s.

Very successfully Gericom AG was in the years 2000 to 2003, after which sales plummeted dramatically. 2004 had the Gericom AG looking for investors in order to survive.

In March 2004, there were plans, 24.9 percent of the shares of the majority shareholder and founder of the company Oberlehner to the German Group Medion for sale. By this step the imminent insolvency firms could be avoided. A few weeks after the announcement of plans Oberlehner however, refused to transfer his shares as agreed at Medion. The court case was decided in favor Gericom.

Industry insiders bring the slump in sales with the lack of service quality of the company in conjunction. The units are more often than average defect according to several user reports. The repair time and repair quality wish to addition could often be desired. Gericom not publish service manuals. The image of the brand took Gericom thereby sharply decreased. Currently occupied Gericom at battery life, quality and service in part by far the last place.

For fiscal 2007, sales amounted to 27.6 million compared to even 63 million in the previous year 2006. Losses were reduced from 27.6 to 0.9 million.

Still to Christmas 2006 we forecast a turnover of 100 million euro with about 100 employees for the year 2008. In fact, there were 40 employees with a probable sales of approximately 30 million euros.

The German Association for the Protection Wertpapierbesitz sat Gericom with over 96 per cent price loss in second place its Watch List of biggest value destroyers under -listed stock corporations in Germany from 2001 to 2006. The share price was in early July 2008 at about 0.70 EUR / unit, compared to a peak of almost 14 EUR in the success of 2003.

In August 2008, Gericom acquired a majority interest by the Taiwanese PC maker Quanmax, Inc. After the takeover went from the Gericom AG consecutive Quanmax AG forth, the Austrian subsidiary of Quanmax, Inc. However, the Quanmax AG is not a mere subsidiary, but is listed as a separate company on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Quanmax AG has its own development department and can produce products partly in Austria. CEO of the new Quanmax AG Michael Jeske, Chairman of the Board was Hannes Niederhauser, co-founder and longtime CEO of the small German computer manufacturer Kontron.