Tech Data to open its European operations centre in Barcelona

Barcelona (ACN).-  The US technology firm Tech Data will open an operations centre in Barcelona in 2012 to serve its plants in Europe. It will be located in the Zona Franca district of the city, an industrial and business area near the port and the Barcelona El Prat Airport. Tech Data, which is the European market leader for hardware and related technology distribution, aims to create 400 highly qualified jobs over the next three years in the Catalan capital. The North-American company has chosen Barcelona over other options in the United Kingdom and Poland. The Catalan Minister for Business and Employment, Francesc Xavier Mena, announced Tech Data’s decision after meeting with company representatives on Thursday. According to Mena, Tech Data’s centre is in line “with the change of productive model” promoted by the Catalan Government.

Tech Data is one of the world’s main distributors of hardware and related technology, with 125,000 clients in more than 100 countries. The North-American corporation had a turnover of $24.4 billion in the last fiscal year, according to data from January 2011. It occupies the 109^th position in the Fortune 500 world ranking. European business represents 55% of Tech Data’s total revenue.

The Catalan Minister for Business and Employment, Francesc Xavier Mena, said that “the Mobile World Congress attracts” technology companies to the Catalan capital. Furthermore, Mena was satisfied with the announcement of 400 highly qualified jobs being created.

Mena made the announcement after a meeting with Tech Data representatives: Tech Data Europe President, Nestor Cano, and Vice President for Operations and Finances, Marco Preda. The Catalan Public Agency that attracts foreign investment to Catalonia and helps Catalan companies sell abroad, ACC1Ó, and in particular its service ‘Invest in Catalonia’, have played a crucial role in the operation. ACC1Ó CEO, Josep Moragas, and ‘Invest in Catalonia’ Director, Joan Josep Berbel, also participated in the final meeting between the Catalan Government and Tech Data.