Channel Post speaks with Ramzi Itani, Vice President for Middle East and Africa Operations at Barco, about his new role, his vision and opportunities for the company in the region.
Barco has been present in the region for a long time, but you have recently joined the organization, how would you define your role in the organization and what is your vision for this company in the region? What kind of growth is Barco expecting to achieve in 2018?
I am delighted to join Barco, a global visualization pioneer that has scaled massively in the region, despite the competitive and kinetic nature of our industry. Barco has clearly secured itself as a global technology leader with a strong presence in the Middle East and Africa, specifically in the GCC, when established over 17 years in the region. The last six years saw the company grow in double-digits, a trend that I am confident we will continue to see the similar growth in the coming years.
The MEA region is a high-growth market for Barco, and we have achieved 80% growth in the past year itself in the collaboration market representing ClickShare. I am excited at the opportunity to lead expansion efforts for the company in the region. With our mission being to enable bright outcomes, I am excited to lead the way in delivering added value and play an active role in helping customers achieve the greatest possible return on investments in Barco technology.
Between several business units among your product lines, which line of business will be your focus area and why?
Our focus would be to continue streamlined growth, across our Enterprise, Healthcare and Entertainment sectors.
We have established a clearly defined leadership in control room solutions. We’ve had great achievements in the past years across the region, including the delivery of the longest video wall for Saudi Aramco. This is one example of more than 400 installations we have provided to our customers, such as Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) in Saudi Arabia and the Dubai Civil Defense.
Another achievement was the installation of a flagship laser fleet across all Reel Cinemas screens, which represents Barco’s largest flagship laser cineplex in the world. The screens provide unparalleled cinematic experiences for guests, with the most advanced projection technology, seven-year warranty and service level agreement, demonstrating our commitment to this long-term partnership.
Which direction is company heading for in the region and what prompted Barco to return to GITEX Technology Week after a gap of 7 years?
With a refreshed, new look that reflects the growth of the company as well as its vision for the future, we are returning to GITEX Technology Week to showcase the full spectrum of products that cater to the increasing demand for efficient IT solutions from diverse organizations in the region.
There is no doubt that the Middle East continues to be a significant pace setter in driving forward innovative discussion, implementation and knowledge exchange around IT agendas. In testament to this, attending the 2018 GITEX Technology Week will be the allow us to unveil some of our most progressive technology solutions.
