HP Inc. Partners Pumped To Drive Sales Growth With New Independent Company

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Solution providers Monday said they see significant sales growth ahead with HP Inc. as they gathered with thousands of HP Inc. employees and customers at a raucous celebration to formally launch the new $55 billion independent printing and personal systems company.

Harry Zarek, CEO of Compugen, No. 59 on the 2015 CRN Solution Provider 500, said he expects 15 percent sales growth in 2016 with HP Inc. as it breaks out from the corporate bureaucracy.

"I think there is huge upside for all of us," said Zarek, one of 60 HP partners from around the globe invited to be part of the launch event. "The stuff that I have seen under the curtains is spectacular. What HP Inc. is doing is rejuvenating the whole user experience with really, really nice devices, beautiful devices. They are going to be a powerhouse. It's all about upside."

[Related: HP Inc. Shares Soar 13 Percent; HP CFO Lesjak: 'It Feels Great']

The growth projections came as HP Inc. CEO Dion Weisler formally launched HP Inc. at the company's Palo Alto, Calif., headquarters with the proclamation: "The wait is over."

"Today we are surrounded by our very closest channel partners and ecosystem friends," he said. "Without these integral players, our success and this day would not be possible. More than 80 percent of our business comes with or through the channel. Our strong ecosystem of partners enables us to create and deliver amazing experiences to customers around the world."

Shares of HP Inc. closed up 13 percent, or $1.59, at $13.83, on Monday -- the first day of trading for the new company.

Laurence Baynham, CEO of Data#3, a $900 million Australian HP solution provider, said he sees the formal kickoff of HP Inc. as an historic event. "Today is very much the birth of a new business," he said. "The launch has created a huge amount of energy and a renewed focus on the business. When you have a clear strategy and a highly motivated business, you are going to get market opportunity. It's an exciting time. I see the existing business improving and accelerating."

Mont Phelps, CEO of NWN, No. 70 on the 2015 CRN SP500, which was named the HP Printer and Personal Systems Growth Reseller of the Year in 2015, said he expects accelerated growth ahead with HP Inc. "This will allow more focus, freedom and capability to do the right things, to make decisions more quickly and drive forward," he said. "Everybody is really excited about the new opportunity. Here is a new $55 billion company with the spirit of a startup."

Chris Froman, president and CEO of Pomeroy, No. 44 on the 2015 CRN SP500, said he also sees sales growth coming with HP Inc. "It's huge," he said of the HP Inc. opportunity. "Their focus on mobility has me very excited. I am very impressed. No longer is it speeds and feeds. They have got great innovation and, most importantly, they are focused on [business] outcomes."

Adam Shaffer, president of North American Technology B2B Product Group for Systemax, No. 17 on the 2015 CRN SP500, said he expects the HP Inc. and Hewlett Packard Enterprise split to drive more sales growth in the business with Systemax. "We see HP Inc. investing more in helping us grow in areas that are important to them, like SMB," he said. "Our goal is growth. With HP being such a large part of our business, there is no way to grow our business without growing the HP business."

Kevin Murai, CEO of Synnex, one of HP's largest distributors in the Americas, said he sees more growth opportunity with the move to separate the onetime $110 billion company Hewlett-Packard into two new companies.

"From my perspective, it gives them the ability to focus more and really drive more and more innovation beyond what [Hewlett Packard Enterprise CEO and HP Inc. Chairman] Meg [Whitman] had put in when she came on board," he said. "I see more innovation in two very different markets."

Noting that HP Inc. and Hewlett Packard Enterprise remain Synnex's largest partner, Murai said: "We expect to grow those businesses. What I am excited about at the highest level is there is such great product. HP has been one of the longest-standing partners in the channel for years and I expect that to continue."

PUBLISHED NOV. 2, 2015