InAVate can exclusively reveal that US pro AV and IT distributor Stampede is poised to target Western Europe after announcing a new UK based office.
The expansion will be headed by Stampede founder and CEO Mark Wilkins, former managing director of UK distributor Maverick.
Stampede has recently highlighted growth opportunities available from the increased use of Drone Video Systems (DVS) and other Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and has hosted the Drone Arena at InfoComm. It will continue to promote these opportunities when it hosts a Drone Arena at the ISE show in Amsterdam, February 9 – 12, 2016.
Wilkins said: “The adoption rate of drone technology and the regulatory environment in the UK and western Europe is very different than in the United States. And, as a result, the emerging vertical market business opportunities are an order of magnitude greater here. Our pioneering leadership of this category, our established vendor relationships, and our strategic alliance with Unmanned Vehicle University combines to present us with an extraordinary opportunity to meet UK and European reseller and customer DVS needs better than any other distributor.”
Stampede president and COO Kevin Kelly added that while drones and DVS solutions are the driver of the expansion, the company’s goal is to replicate Stampede’s entire business culture and philosophy in the region.
“We intend to be for UK and western European resellers and customers what we are now for resellers and customers throughout the Americas — a single, one-stop source of smart, profitable high value added pro AV and IT integration solutions that exceed customer expectations in ways that generate long-term repeat business for our partners,” he said.
The company is also actively recruiting in Europe. During ISE, Stampede’s Drone Arena can be found in the Park Foyer, outside the back of Hall 8, at the RAI Exhibition Center from February 9-12, 2016 in Amsterdam.