Hitachi Launches Privilege Program for Hard Disk Drive Partners in India

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies (Hitachi GST) rolled out a Partners Privilege program in India aimed at strengthening its channel partner network and capturing the rapidly expanding market opportunity across the country. Following the successful initiation of the program in China and Taiwan in 2007, the Hitachi Partners Privilege program (HPP) is now hitting the Indian market.

Under the HPP program, Hitachi GST’s partners in India such as resellers, system integrators, system builders and retailers can earn points and redeem gifts by selling the entire product line of Hitachi GST desktop hard disk drive products. Special quarterly promotions will also be available; for example in the second quarter of this year, mobile hard drive products will also be available for the program.

“India is one of the key strategic markets with huge market potential for Hitachi GST in Asia and we have a substantial channel base established here,” said Mr. Robert Chu, VP, Asia Pacific, Hitachi GST. “By rolling out the HPP program, not only can we reward our partners and recognize their efforts, but also together explore and identify more business opportunities, tap fast-growing markets and thus enhance hard disk drive sales across India.”

The hard disk drive market in India has grown rapidly alongside growth in the desktop market which, according to IDC, grew by nearly 11 percent in volume and reached 4.5 million in unit shipments in India during the last fiscal year. Personal computer shipments rose by 20 percent in 2007, and are projected to reach a compound annual growth rate of about 20 percent over the next five years.

“Hitachi’s Partners Privilege program is a great initiative to help channel partners like us to tap India’s rapid growing PC market,” said Mr. Malhar Shah from Arihant Systems. Mr. Ramesh Purohit of Omshakti Computers added, “Through the HPP program we can maximize many other market opportunities.”

HPP members, who join by invitation from Hitachi GST, can earn points and redeem gifts upon selling eligible Hitachi GST hard disk drive products. Hitachi GST has set up a system to facilitate the points earning and redemption process, whereby sales data will be collected from HPP members periodically. Members can then redeem incentives of their choice, including a wide selection of latest lifestyle and technology devices.