Beny Alagem, co-founder and former CEO of Packard Bell NEC, has completed a deal with troubled Samsung Electronics subsidiary AST Research Inc, which will see him take over the AST brand name and an exclusive license to its intellectual property portfolio. In return, AST Research will receive a minority stake in a newly- formed company, AST Computers – making Samsung an indirect strategic partner in the new venture. Alagem says AST Computers will be an internet-driven company focused on providing computer systems to small and mid-size businesses and the home market. Alagem insists that, despite impressive growth in the computer industry, small and medium sized businesses remain under-served and over 50% of American homes are still not equipped with computers. He reckons his company will change all that by providing products focused on the specific needs of those market segments – and will benefit financially by using the internet to market and support its products. He describes the new company as a streamlined organization that will be able to make the immediate decisions required to achieve success in the ever- changing computer industry. No financial details of the deal were disclosed.
