PERSONAL computer maker Compaq is determined to reach and maintain the top market position, and 'be twice as large as our nearest competitor in two years', according to chief executive officer Eckhard Pfeiffer.
Compaq, which recently grabbed the number one market share position in Hong Kong and China from AST Research, intends to cash in on growing demand in the region for PC technology.
The company on Saturday officially opened a new 170,000-square-foot facility in Shenzhen where it will produce central processing units, power supplies and three desktop PCs.
A 90-10 per cent joint venture between the PC giant and Beijing Stone (Group) Corp, Compaq Technologies (China) would allow Compaq to ramp up PC production for the Asia-Pacific, Mr Pfeiffer said.
Compaq has other PC plants in Houston in the US, Scotland, Brazil and Singapore, and although the new Shenzhen facility is currently considered a minor factory, the company expects it to grow rapidly.
The Shenzhen plant will allow Compaq to sell products in China priced in renminbi - an important marketing factor - and also reduce logistics costs.
The majority of products made at the plant will be distributed in North Asia, although the power supplies are intended for worldwide distribution.
