NextiraOne, Europe's largest independent integrator of communications solutions, announced the appointment of Nico Pilkes as Managing Director of its operations in The Netherlands. Mr Pilkes will head the existing Netherlands' management team. His main task will be to support and strengthen the company's objectives for growth in the NetherlandsBenelux region. NexitiraOne is a global provider of integrated enterprise network solutions and services that enables effective, reliable business communications. As a global service organization that carries an extensive portfolio of certifications and product expertise, NextiraOne provides best-in-class technologies from partners such as Alcatel, Cisco Systems, Genesys and Nortel Networks. NextiraOne offers consultation and solutions development ranging from contact center applications to network infrastructure outsourcing. NextiraOne was previously known as Alcatel e-Business Distribution. In January 2002 Platinum Equity, a global private equity business a leading private buyout firm signed an agreement to acquire the European operations of Alcatel's enterprise distribution and services business. This brand of Alcatel provided fully integrated voice and data telecommunications services to businesses throughout Europe. Platinum Equity merged the businesses of Alcatel and NextiraOne after the buyout. At this moment the 'new' NextiraOne serves an international customer base of over 500,000 customers sites worldwide.
Platinum Equity itself is one of the largest and fastest growing buyout firms in the United States. It specializes in the acquisition and operation of global, mission critical, technology companies. Platinum Equity only acquires technology businesses that provide services and support to the infrastructure and systems of other businesses. The mission of Platinum Equity is to build value in the companies its acquires and owns, providing each with the resources it needs to realize its strategic business potential. NextiraOne has just a single vision: to make its customers more successful and in the meantime helping them to realize their ambitions. About NextiraOne's own ambitions regarding the Dutch market, Telecom.paper had an interview with Nico Pilkes, NextiraOne's new managing director.
"Our strategy is to understand the objectives, the processes, the people and the organizational dynamics of our customers before we start proposing solutions. We are entirely vendor independent so we always tailor the best of breed solution that addresses precisely the challenges that our customers are facing. We offer integrated voice and data services. For example: voice over IP. On a national scale in Holland and as a European organization on an international level as well. In Holland we are a limited player because originally Alcatel used to take that position. Alcatel used to be less successful on the Dutch market compared to elsewhere in Europe. But our aim is to grow aggressively", says Nico Pilkes.
One of the major advantages NextiraOne has in playing such a role is its strong financial position. The company hardly has any debts is profitable and is willing to invest, not only in the state of knowledge but also in takeovers which can be financed out of the regular cash flow.
Nico Pilkes: "Knowledge is our main asset. And knowledge gives the opportunity to differ in a positive way from all competitors in this market. Our position in the value chain is getting stronger. Our customers do not have to consult a supplier if a problem occurs and has to be solved quickly. NextiraOne has all necessary experience at its disposal to tackle these problems by itself. All these things makes it possible for us to grow and we are certain that our market share will be stronger in due time."
