Tulips Computers NV, the Hertogenbosch, Netherlands PC distributor which was rescued from bankruptcy in 1998, is preparing to beef up its server offering and to re-enter the notebook before the end of the year. Sources at the company said it will be enhancing its server line next month, adding functionality to its 4-processor products and then, by year’s end, launching 8-processor machines. After pulling back from bankruptcy in mid-1998, Tulip cut back its international presence to six countries in Europe and sold its manufacturing facilities to Ingram Micro of the US, which now produces Tulip’s computers under an outsourcing agreement.
Meanwhile, the company is in discussions with a specialist notebook manufacturer that wants to step up its presence in Europe with a view either OEMing or even buying it, said one source.
Having reported a loss of Fl 2.8m ($1.3m) for the first half of 1999, down from a loss of Fl 38.2m ($18.3m), on revenue that was down 25.3% at Fl 97.1m ($46.6m), Tulip expects to return to profit over the whole year. Sources said a net of Fl 4m-Fl 8m ($1.9m-$3.8m) on revenue of Fl 220m-Fl 240m ($106m-$115m) would be a reasonable expectation.
