Rover Computers

As of March, 2011 the main products for Rover are communicators, mediaplayers and tablets which by request of the company release Asian vendors.

Performance Indicators

2010

At the end of 2010 representatives of Rover do not call revenue, but say that it was less indicator of 2009. According to SmartMarketing, a share of Rover in 2010 in the Russian market:

• tablet devices made 3.57%,
• in a segment of compact "tablets" (with the screen of 5-7 inches) – 13.7%,
• in the market of communicators – 2%.

2008

In 2008 according to IDC the share of Rover in the Russian market of notebooks fell up to about 2%, and in 2009 fell lower than 1%. Revenue of the company from 2007 to 2009 was reduced three times, to $70 million. Now Rover stakes on sales of communicators.

History

2007

In 2007 Rover purchased the Arsenal plant for $4 million. The company expected to increase significantly production and sale of mobile computers, to return positions of one of the leading producers in Russia and also to change alignment of forces in the market of communicators.

2008

In 2008 it was reported that Shunyaev paid about $50 million from personal means for the stocks Clevo. Proceeding from Clevo capitalization at that time ($862 million) the head of Rover Computers could have a packet about 5.8%. It was enough for participation in Board of Directors of Clevo. Thus, Shunyaev expected to influence development of new models of the Taiwan producer.

The Clevo company was founded in 1983. According to the Research in China agency, in 2009 it was in the eighth place on shipments for OEM partner. In addition to Rover Computers, Clevo assembles computers for more than 70 local firms in 50 countries of the world. The stocks Clevo address at the Taiwan exchange since 1997.

As of the moment of purchase, Clevo supplied up to 80% of parts for notebooks of Rover. As Shunyaev spoke then, his company was interested in acquisition of exclusive rights on some models of the notebooks released by Clevo. Having acquired such rights, the Russian vendor intended to return itself the lost positions in local market of notebooks.

2009

As the president of Rover Computers Sergey Shunyaev told CNews, in 2009 he sold the stocks of the Taiwan producer of notebooks and Clevo component parts owned by it. Shunyaev did not specify the amount and exact trade date, having noticed that using the broker of an action were implemented at the exchange.

2010: Change of the CEO

On June 17, 2010 the CEO of Rover Computers Sergey Smirnov left the company. Andrey Osipov became the new director of Rover Computers. Osipov works in the company since 1996 at different positions, recently headed division of RoverBook (is engaged in release of notebooks). Since 2002 Osipov consists in Board of Directors of the company. Now coordination of interaction of all departments of Rover Computers and the help in operational activity to the president of the company Sergey Shunyaev belongs to his duties.

• In 2010 assembly of the equipment under own brand at the Arsenal plant practically stopped.

2011: Sale of the Arsenal plant

On March 23, 2011 it became known that Rover Computers decided to transfer the Arsenal plant to the consolidated enterprise with the Vyazniki plant of radio electronics (VZRT) in exchange for the blocking packet in the united company. In further Rover it intends to sell the shares to the partner, and on the received means to pay off creditors^[1].

VZRT is contract producer of electronics of a full stroke. Under the terms of the agreement, it receives a controlling stake of the united company. Rover will have a blocking packet. In the course of consolidation of the company will make exchange of assets for total amount more than $10 million, speak in Rover. The transaction will be cashless.

After completion of the transaction VZRT will be responsible for operational production management, and Rover will focus on product development under own brand. The release of the devices of Rover will transfer on in a row united company.

The parties are calculated that the consolidated enterprise will become one of the largest contract producers of electronics in Russia and on total revenue in 2011 can already enter TOP 100 of the European providers EMS (Electronic Manufacturing Services).

Nevertheless, "in the coming months" Rover intends to sell a part of the shares of the united company to owners of VZRT. According to Zharaspayev, proceeds will allow Rover to pay off a credit debt to the Kazakhstan Kazkommertsbank.

"We once again confirmed the truth that in small and medium business it is impossible to manage effectively an asset, being at distance, to doing not participate regularly owner in management", - Kayrat Zharaspayev says.

Notes