Johannesburg, 05 Dec 2000
This year, IT giant Persetel Q Data Africa has celebrated 21 years as one of South Africa`s leading Information Technology solution providers. Over the years, the company has established an enviable track record in designing and implementing IT business solutions for the country`s most successful organisations. From its beginnings as a mainframe reseller, to its current position as an IT based eBusiness solutions implementor and integrator, the company has undergone significant changes.
An illustrious past PQ Africa had its origins in Persetech, which was incorporated in 1979 and later became Persetel. Founded by Roux Marnitz, the company originally began by selling mainframes to the South African market. Since Persetel first opened with seven staff, the company has followed a path of rapid expansion.
In October 1997, Persetel Holdings Limited merged with Q Data Limited forming PQ Holdings. Q Data Limited was listed in 1986 and the company`s strengths in consultancy, software products and services complimented Persetel`s expertise in products and systems. The merger created an entity, which has become a major player in the IT arena in Southern Africa, and through Comparex Holdings, significant force internationally.
In 1996, as the first South African IT businesses to expand abroad, the group set itself some challenging targets. They began their international growth with the acquisition of several European networking companies The name change from PQ Holdings to Comparex Holdings took place in November 1998, following the the increase in shareholding in Comparex Informationssysteme, based in Germany, to 75%. PQ Africa represents Comparex Holdings` African interests and now employs over 5 000 staff with more than 29 centres across South Africa.
Comparex Holdings Limited holds a 50% -1 share interest in PQ Africa with the remaining controlling interest of 50% +1 share held by the black empowerment group, the National Information Technology Acquisition Consortium (NITAC), led by Real Africa Holdings. Through this joint international-African ownership, PQ Africa occupies a unique competitive position; the company has direct access to Comparex`s extensive global skills and it has the ability to tailor IT business solutions to meet the needs of clients throughout Africa. The organisation also has an impressive history of accolades, having won in excess of 40 industry awards in the last 6 years. PQ Africa is rated as one of "The Best Companies to Work for in South Africa" by the Corporate Research Foundation.
Most recently in the "Top Growth Company Awards 2000 - Business Report/Brait/Gemini Consulting" Comparex was ranked 4th in the "5 Year Overall Ranking" Award and second in Return to Shareholders. Comparex was also recently ranked 10th in the Sunday Times, Business Times Top 100 Companies.
Peter Watt, appointed as CEO in June 1999, has played a key role in transforming the company over the last 18 months. Watt comments, "PQ Africa has its roots firmly planted in Africa and with our ownership structure, broad skills base and international experience, we are in a unique position to extend and strengthen our offering to the broader African market."
A New Direction PQ Africa, in line with Comparex Holdings has been repositioning its business as an integrator of IT based eBusiness solutions with best-of-breed hardware and software. Comparex eBusiness Solutions is a "second wave" implementer of new economy solutions, using the lessons learned from the first wave, early adaptors together with its considerable skills base and experience in order to implement practical eBusiness solutions that work.
In February 2000, its` refocusing saw the conclusion of a strategic reseller agreement with EMC Corporation, a market leader in intelligent data storage systems and related software. PQ Africa has also been appointed as an IBM business partner and is now able to offer a greater range of product to complement the existing product ranges of Sun Microsystems.
The PQ Africa group now focuses on several lines of business activities, including Servers, Storage, Networks, Professional Services and eBusiness. Says Watt, "The market continues to change dramatically and accordingly, PQ Africa will continually re-invent itself to meet the demands of our clients and of the future. The strategic repositioning of the group as an integrator of eBusiness solutions has reached an advanced stage and together with Comparex we will actively pursue opportunities for strategic acquisitions to enhance shareholder value."
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