Pioneer-Standard Electronics Expands Globally with Strategic Promotions

Pioneer-Standard Electronics, a computer and electronics distributor based in Garfield Heights, has announced the promotion of five top executives as part of its global expansion strategy. The move comes on the heels of deals with two foreign companies and the acquisition of Roswell, Ga.-based Dickens Data Systems, a leading distributor of IBM products. The reorganization aims to better serve multinational suppliers and customers, with the company set to move into the Pacific Rim and Europe, the fastest- and second-fastest-growing markets for electronics and computer components, respectively.

Key Takeaways:

• Pioneer-Standard Electronics has promoted five top executives, including Tom Pitera, Jim Jefferies, Pete Coleman, Bob Bailey, and Jeff Levine, in preparation for its global expansion strategy.
• The promotions aim to broaden the responsibilities of top executives to guide the company overseas and handle its fast-paced growth, which is expected to exceed $2 billion in fiscal 1999 due to the Dickens Data acquisition.
• The company's growth has been rapid, tripling in size over a four-year period, prompting the need for additional delegation to handle its operations.
• Pioneer-Standard's management changes come as the company seeks to stay competitive with its competitors, which have already established themselves internationally.
• The promotions include the formation of two international councils, each comprising three to five executives, to direct a single strategy for sales, marketing, operations, and logistics across the company, Dickens Data, and its European and Asian partners.
• The company continues to explore partnerships in other areas of the world, including South America, where it currently does not operate.

Statistics:

• Pioneer-Standard Electronics expects sales to top $2 billion in fiscal 1999 due to the Dickens Data acquisition.
• The company earned $30 million on sales of $1.6 billion in fiscal 1998.
• The company tripling in size over a four-year period.
• The number of foreign companies with which Pioneer-Standard has deals is not specified.

Sources:

• "Pioneer-Standard Electronics Promotes Executives for Global Expansion" (no publication date given)
• Quote from Art Rein, president of Pioneer-Standard
• Quote from Robert Damron, an analyst who follows Pioneer-Standard for the investment firm of Cleary Gull Reiland & McDevitt Inc. in Milwaukee.