Sydney-based First International Trading (FIT) has been appointed as the new Australian distributor for Billion Electric and AVM – the two major vendors of Adelaide-based PCRange, which fell into liquidation this week.
First International, which was founded in 1996, was previously a sub-distie of PCRange.
The news should be some relief for AVM and Billion resellers after initial panic about how they would get service for products still under warranty.
First International's product range includes AVM's FritzBox wireless modem, supplied by major South Australian internet service provider Internode, which has tens of thousands of subscribers and is owned by iiNet parent TPG.
AVM, headquartered in Germany, said the it would deliver all existing back orders before the end of January and that First International will maintain the warranty and support of its products.
Taiwanese router manufacturer Billion said in a statement that it chose First International as its new distributor because the partner was previously its largest authorised reseller in Australia, representing more than 50 percent of Billion's regional sales.
First International has been tasked with introducing Billion's new wireless AC routers to the Australian market this year.
Billion chief executive Tim Chen said: "As the demand for our high-performance networking products wireless AC rises, it’s crucial we work with a reliable industrial partner that can supply technical supports and products to Australian resellers and end customers. With over 10 year proven track record in the IT industry, FIT is the perfect distributor that can provide sales and field level support to expand the reach of our modem and routers."
First International Trading director Jack Chou said: "We have been working extremely closely with Raaj Menon, the founder of PC Range for the past 14 years. We admire his efforts in establishing a highly reputable brand name for Billion and AVM products in the Australian market. We appreciate his support during the past 14 years."
Another Billion partner, Leader Computers, is also offering to help resellers with warranty support, managing director Theo Kristoris told CRN.
"Leader will honour any Billion products purchased from Leader with warranty. We are also in discussions with Billion directly to see if we can service resellers that purchased these products from PC Range with a fee."
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