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Apple retailer Magnum Mac - Source: ONE News -
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Apple distributor The Renaissance Group says it is well placed to cope with the emergence of a major rival distributor, by moving to develop and export its own line of products.
Renaissance had been virtually the only provider of Apple products in New Zealand, but last month Apple announced that they were appointing an additional distributor.
Apple first signalled the move to multiple distributors in 2006, taking control of its own online store and, in 2007, distributing directly to mass retailers such as JB HiFi and Dick Smith Electronics.
However, Renaissance CEO Richard Webb told TV ONE's NZI Business that the company is well prepared for the change and have moved to diversify their market presence.
Webb said the business' primary focus now lay in "products, services, training and education".
Renaissance will continue its relationship with Apple and will retain its Magnum Mac and Student IT retail brands.
The company also acquired Natcoll, a tertiary provider of digital design and technology courses.
"Apple has always been a large part of our business, but our long term plan is for us is to produce our own intellectual property and start exporting that property," said Webb.
"We have taken our business from being the sole distributor of someone else's hardware to a business that produces its own intellectual property and is now exporting that property."
Webb said that their "greatest strength" lies in the development of mobility applications. This has primarily been for iPads and iPhones, but is also moving to Android and Windows based applications, with further "big players" overseas to be announced.
The purchase of Natcoll gives Renaissance a link to a pool of young talent and many of their development team are recent graduates.
Webb said one of his challenges as CEO has been to integrate 13 separate focuses into a cohesive brand.
This was the impetus behind the new YooBee brand, which Webb describes as a "one-stop-shop" for products, services, training and education.
