SMT Goupil SA is bidding to become a dominant force in the European personal computer market – and meet the challenge of a Bull SA that has just added Zenith Data Systems to its existing interests in personal computers. Its latest move is the acquisition of a controlling 69% stake in Norca SA, the holding company for ambitious Normerel SA, for about $2.3m. Normerel, which has spent the past 15 months trying to establish itself in the US, UK – and Chinese markets, looks for sales of $55m for 1989, and for satisfactory profits in 1990. It will become the OEM arm of SMT – it already supplies Micro Channel machines to Memorex; SMT also seeks closer ties with Arche Technologies SA, which has 19% of Norca. Turnover at SMT is running at about $220m a year.
