|
|
Making Waves Down Under
Argox prepares to expand in Australia
This issue of Argox Barcode News reviews last month's show in Sydney, Australia and our plans to expand in this market. In addition, the RITE2005 show in Singapore is previewed, and installment number twelve of the Story of Argox relates how Argox became Taiwan's largest maker of scanners. A new section also begins in this issue featuring the people at Argox.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
This section features the people at Argox. You may see a familiar face from an exhibition or a road show, or you might see a name you recognize from an email. We offer these brief introductions to help you know us better.
|
|
|
 David Tai: Asia Pacific Sales Director |
|
|
|
- Having a drink with a few friends is one of life's greatest pleasures
- Learned calligraphy from his grandfather
- In love with his wife, but spends more time with his best friend Paul
|
|
|
| Ting-Ting Chen: Europe Sales Director |
|
|
|
- Coffee is her main drink. A day without coffee and her battery needs recharged
- Will travel miles for good food
- Won the Sales department award for "Ms. Congeniality"
|
|
| Paul Yang: Technical Support Director |
|
|
|
- To join the FAE department, you have to be the same size as Paul
- You hear his laugh before you see him appear
|
|
|
| Jeff Chen: Product Manager |
|
|
|
- Super-Dad had two babies at the beginning of the year and one more baby at the end of the year
- Carries a lot of "weight" in the Sales department
- Wears a utility belt. If you see a utility belt at Argox, you'll know it's Jeff
|
|
| Tinny Chen: Marcom Manager |
|
|
|
- Gets the most phone calls. If she's not at her desk, everyone else answers endless calls
- A desk full of baby pictures. Seeing a picture of her baby boy always puts her in a good mood
- If you need baby advice, just ask Tinny
|
|
|
 |
| Making Waves - Retail Business Technology Show, Sydney, Australia |
|
|
|
| In response to the Retail Business Technology Show in Sydney in July, Argox is preparing to make waves in Australia. This year with a larger booth and bright orange decor and uniforms, Argox attracted the attention of showgoers. The first impression of many passersby was "who are you? We've never seen you before." But after seeing our products, they realized Argox is a manufacturer they are already very familiar with.
On the second day several distributors came by to see our products and chat. We heard that there are only a few brands in Australia and that the market is relatively quiet. And contrary to our original belief that this is a small market, we learned there is still a lot of room for growth. For Argox the news was positive and it has inspired us to increase our efforts there. This month we make a second trip to Australia for dealer training, and we are preparing sales and service support teams dedicated to Australia and New Zealand. For next year's show in Melbourne, Argox is already booked. Our friends in Australia should look forward to a livelier barcode printer and scanner market as Argox gets set to make waves.
|
|
|
 |
| Retail Industry Trade Event, Singapore |
|
|
|
| Argox will participate in the Retail Industry Trade Event (RITE2005) held in Singapore, September 21~23. Several exhibitions comprise the event and Argox is taking part in Retail IT2005, which focuses on retail technology. The Argox booth will be demonstrating our line of desktop printers and scanners. Featured at the show is our new 8510 scanner, which is a Bluetooth prototype soon to be available. The RITE2005 event provides us with an opportunity to meet with partners who come from all around S.E. Asia, and September is a good month to discuss plans for 2006.
If you are in Singapore for the show, please stop by and say hello.
|
|
|
 |
| The Story of Argox (part 12) |
|
|
|
| A brainstorming session by the Argox partners in 2000 resulted in a decision that shocked the Taiwan barcode industry: Argox would enter the barcode scanner business. As a specialist in mid- and low-end barcode printers, Argox saw the difficulty of breaking into the hi-end of the business. So to answer the question, "How do we grow faster?" the brainstorming partners began to consider products that would provide synergy with their barcode printers.
In 2000, there were 15 companies in Taiwan producing barcode scanners, all with 5 to 10 years of experience. Scanner prices were on a downward trend and margins were slim. The scanner makers wondered, "With prices so low why would anyone want to enter this market?" However, the Argox partners carefully calculated that the scale of their current printer business plus the planned scale of their scanner business could produce a healthy profit.
The initial concept for Argox's new scanner business was based on three principles: 1) Argox would not participate in price wars; 2) the emphasis would be on quality and performance; and 3) Argox scanners had to match the quality of Argox barcode printers. With depth of experience in barcode printers and excellent R&D, Argox quickly developed barcode scanner technology that was cost-effective and provided outstanding performance.
At CEBIT 2001, Argox launched the first series of barcode scanners, the 8110, 8210, 8150, and 8250. Taiwan scanner makers were stunned, asking "How can Argox possibly expect to make a profit?" They were unable to fathom the Argox strategy.
Nevertheless, by June 2005, Argox had become Taiwan's largest barcode scanner manufacturer.
|
|
|
