HP re-enters CD media storage mkt

BANGALORE: Hewlett Packard Co., said it had entered an agreement with Moser Baer India Limited, a manufacturer of removable data storage products, to bring HP-branded CD storage media into India and SAARC region.

Moser Baer will manage the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of HP-branded DVD+R, DVD+RW, CD-R and CD-RW storage media, while HP will continue to oversee product quality, testing and branding compliance.

Indian market for optical storage media products is growing at 50 percent per annum, making it one of the fastest growing markets in the world.

"Many of HP's customers were disappointed when the company ceased to provide the CD storage media it once offered," said See Chin Teik, Vice President of consumer products and mobile business, Asia Pacific & Japan, HP. "Re-entering the media storage market in partnership with Moser Baer allows HP to focus on expanding its product portfolio to complement its DVD+R/+RW drive offerings. And to meet customer demand for high-quality, attractively priced storage media."

"This agreement further strengthens the relationship between our two companies", said Deepak Puri, Chairman and Managing Director, Moser Baer India limited. "HP is globally identified with premium and quality product offerings. This partnership with Moser Baer and the fact that media produced at our facilities will bear the HP name, is yet another example of our strong emphasis on product quality and ability to build a successful business franchise," he added.

"We are excited to have HP branded optical storage media in our fold. The association with a global brand like HP will compliment and further strengthen our existing product offering in the optical storage market. We expect HP business in the Indian subcontinent to contribute Rs 1 billion to Moser Baer's revenues by the year 2006," said Bhaskar Sharma, Vice President- Domestic Sales & Marketing, Moser Baer India Limited.