Ing C Olivetti & Co SpA intends to launch a new line of notebook computers in the summer to replace its German Triumph Adler subsidiary’s range of Walkstation portables. As a result, Triumph Adler will cease all production at its Nuremburg plant, although its factory in Frankfurt will continue to build desktop personal computers, and its Scottish site will still supply components. The new Olivetti range will be manufactured in Italy. Discussions are currently under way as to whether Triumph Adler will resell the products in Germany under its own name or under the Olivetti tag. Triumph Adler’s Walkstation family and Olivetti’s Quaderno portable range currently compete in the German market. While Olivetti did say it was a joint decision with TA to manufacture the new line of products, it would appear to be based on several premises. First, because its core business consists of manufacturing personal computers, it wants to control what it sees as a strategic market. Second, because Triumph Adler is not doing very well, the move would seem to make sense in public relations terms. As regards Olivetti’s OEM agreement with Digital Equipment Corp, a spokesman at Olivetti said, although DEC was selling Olivetti desktops throughout Europe – it sold approximately 60,000 in 1992 – portables were only included in the agreement at the start of this year; much later than Olivetti decided to create a new line. Therefore, DEC has sold very few machines in anticipation of the new range, but sales and marketing activities will be greatly stepped up when it arrives.
