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Nokia Display Products: Great and Getting Better
March 14, 1997
Nokia Display Products Inc., a subsidiary of the Finland-based telecommunications technology leader, and supplier of innovative computer and workstation monitors, announced today an agreement with International Technology Associates (ITA) by which Nokia will take over the Nokia-related operations and personnel of ITA as of March 7, 1997. ITA was contracted by Nokia in 1993 to introduce and manage key elements of Nokia’s display products business in North America and has been instrumental in establishing Nokia monitors as one of the premier display products lines sold in the United States and Canada.
The Nokia relationship with ITA pioneered the concept of the “virtual corporation,” proving to customers and outside observers to be a successful implementation of this form of management organization. Working with Nokia leadership, ITA was responsible for sales, marketing, logistics, invoicing and accounts receivable.
“Nokia’s utilization of the virtual corporation concept proved to an astute move for us, successfully establishing Nokia’s position in the market,” stated Jim Cookson, president, Nokia Display Products - Americas. “The time has now arrived to bring the full force of Nokia’s resources to the fore,” Cookson continued, “By assuming full operational control of the business functions formerly handled by ITA, Nokia will realize a seamless transition to the next step in our evolution as a force to be reckoned with in the North American market.”
The impressive success enjoyed by Nokia monitors on the North American scene, and the solid customer and distribution channel relationships built by the Nokia partnership with ITA, is seen by both parties as evidence of the validity of the virtual corporation concept. Moreover, this partnership has crafted an organization now prepared to take the next step.
According to Mark Tomko, founder and President of ITA, “What you have now is an efficient organization which has proven itself a highly successful entrepreneurial competitor which now has access to the resources of Nokia Group.” Tomko continued, “Truly entrepreneurial organizations have advantages in the quality of people they attract and in the kind of management they require. These are advantages large corporations - usually can only envy. Nokia now has this with no additional training required. I believe the future will see a lot more Nokia monitors on desktops. There is absolutely nothing stopping Nokia from becoming the leading monitor in North America.”
According to Cookson, Tomko and other principals of ITA will be retained in consulting roles to assist in the transition. “The only change the market will see,” Cookson stated, “will be a greater commitment from Nokia and increased resources to back that commitment.”
Headquartered in Finland, Nokia is the world’s largest manufacturer of digital mobile phones and the second largest supplier of GSM/DCS digital networks with sales in more than 120 countries. Nokia is also a global leader in wireless data terminals and infrastructure, a significant supplier of advanced transmission systems, access networks and multimedia equipment. With net sales totaling $8.5 billion in 1996, Nokia employs more than 31,000 people in 45 countries. Nokia shares are listed on the Frankfurt, Helsinki, London, New York, Paris and Stockholm stock exchanges.
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