Following the acquisition of DICOTA GmbH in 2008, the OSM Group has consisted of four different companies: OSM, GMC, SQCC and DICOTA. The OSM Group is now integrating and consolidating the companies within the group.

Step by step, we will combine all our activities under the OSM and DICOTA names. The first step in this process is the name change of Global Merchandising Concepts Limited (GMC) to OSM HK Ltd, which will come into effect on the 1st of September 2010. Both GMCK Company in Korea and GMCJ Co. Ltd. Japan will also change their name to OSM shortly thereafter.

It is our belief that this consolidation will create a clear structure leading to increased efficiency and further increase our ability to best serve our customers.

It is certainly no app, but at least just as practical: with its DICOTA PadCover, the Notebook case professionals are introducing a sleeve specially designed for the Apple® iPad. The protective sleeve fits around the revolutionary equipment like a second skin and protects it effectively from scratches and any minor damage. In fitting with the characteristic Apple-look, the DICOTA PadCover will win you over with its distinctly elegant and exclusive design.

New outfit for the iPad

DICOTA PadCover is tailor-made for the Apple® iPad! The innovative touchscreen mobile computer is easily slotted into the sleeve ensuring that the equipment remains protected without losing any of its compactness. A pull flap ensures that it can be quickly removed from the sleeve without any problems.

Whilst the outside of the sleeve is made of a wool mixture (40% wool and 60% acrylic) and further enhanced with elegant leather details, fine nylon cloth is used for the lining.

The sleeve is optionally available with grey leather and a pink interior or with black leather and a blue interior.

We are pleased to announce that Robert Farmer has been appointed ´Global Business Development Director OEM´, for the OSM Group.

In this position Robert will be reporting to our CSO, James Nam, and he will be responsible for developing the OEM customer base for the OSM Group with specific focus on the laptop industry globally. Key initiatives for Robert will be to develop the OSM OEM accessory offering, mainly but not limited to the IT industry, across Europe. Robert will also be leading the implementation and execution of our laptop OEM accessory growth thrust globally, key to OSM’s future growth and success.

Robert brings a wealth of experience with him having spent the last 17 years working within the IT Industry. In the early part of Robert’s career he built up a broad understanding of all segments at Ingram Micro UK where his position eventually moved to a European role. In 1999 he then moved to Targus Europe Ltd (Laptop bags) working in channel management positions including retail, mail order, distribution and corporate. Within the last 5 years he held the role of EMEA Alliance Sales Director (at Targus) being responsible for development and growth of all the major OEM’s both internationally and regionally.

Robert believes that his success and past results has come from heading up a strong team combined with marketing, manufacturing, logistics and design knowledge, but more importantly listening and understanding customer needs.

Robert will start June 14th and will be based out of the UK.

Please welcome us in wishing Robert all the best in his new challenge!

We are pleased to announce that Åsa Holmgren has been appointed ´Human Resources and Talent Management Director´, of the OSM Group.

Åsa, who will also be included in the OSM Group Executive management team, will in this position be responsible for developing, coordinating and leading human resource and talent management activities in the OSM Group to maximize the strategic use of human resources. She will also be in charge of aligning HR processes globally and maintaining strategic HR functions such as employee compensation, recruitment, personnel policies, and regulatory compliance.

Personal Qualities and previous working History:

Åsa is a result-oriented and open-minded business executive with international experience. She holds a broad experience base ranging from large multinational to smaller national companies, from operational line responsibility to management consulting, from running major strategic projects to having corporate staff positions.

Prior to her joining the OSM Group, Åsa held the role HR Director Capgemini Consulting - Central Europe and Asia Pacific. Before Capgemini, Åsa was leading process- and transformation projects at Ernst & Young Management Consulting. She started her career as a trainee at ABB in Sweden and Brazil, after finishing her M.Sc at the Royal School of Technology in Stockholm. She also studied at the Stockholm School of Economics.

Global mobile accessories specialist, OSM Group, and leading carry solutions brand, DICOTA, have realized substantial product and operational efficiencies in their first 12 months as a merged entity.

“During our first year together, we have identified the core competencies of the two companies, allowing us to forge a leaner and more agile group, better equipped to respond to our customers across segments and around the world,” explains Michel Bracke, OSM Group CEO

The acquistion creates tremendous synergism by coupling the strengths of a world-class OEM specialist in the multimedia sector to those of one of the leading global brands in carry solutions.

“DICOTA retains its strong, respected brand with an established product portfolio and high quality standards. The acquisition allows us to further improve our offering and our service to customers,” says Jean-Pierre Martin, OSM Group Managing Director for Europe Middle East and Africa.

OSM acquired DICOTA in January 2009. Following 12 months of strategic planning, DICOTA’s successful integration into OSM Group is now complete. The acquisition has seen substantive structural synergies that have already created benefits for customers. Of utmost importance, the acquisition has seen the thorough rejuvenation of DICOTA’s respected brand and product portfolio.

Synergies will continue to be realized as OSM and DICOTA share creative capabilities through a global network of designs teams. OSM’s global capacity in customer research and analysis affords DICOTA valuable market insight to develop products that meet the needs of target groups in different markets.

DICOTA’s new look and feel – new brand and corporate identity – are in place and new collections are to follow, including expansion into the Mobile Phone cateogry. OSM plans to launch the new collections throughout the year accumulating in a new fresh and streamlined portfolio by the end of 2010.

DICOTA is extending its brand attraction from corporate and business sectors to the personal market: building on the success of DICOTA’s established, legacy range and evolving the portfolio for the fashion-savvy, multi-media generation.

The rejuvination of the DICOTA product range gets underway at the upcoming CeBIT exhibition that runs between March 2 and March 6, 2010 in Hanover, Germany. OSM and DICOTA will be exhibiting at CeBIT in Hall 15, Stand F16, Planet Reseller, under the campaign theme “Bag to the Future”. CeBIT is the world's largest trade fair showcasing digital IT and telecommunications solutions for home and work environments.

OSM is pleased to announce that Thomas Huss has recently been appointed Managing Director, America's, of the OSM Group. In this position Thomas will be responsible for the management and development of all the business areas of the OSM Group in the America's region.

Thomas brings with him an extensive retail and distribution knowledge from within the wireless industry as well as sales and team leadership

Thomas’s seventeen years of progressive business experiences include documented success in sales, business development, marketing, sourcing and operations. A veteran of the wireless industry he has held management positions at Airtouch Cellular (Verizon), Nokia Mobile Phones, Case Logic Wireless, BlueAnt Wireless, and most recently Technocel Corporation where he led new business development activities. Accomplishments within these roles include the successful development and management of branded wireless products, primarily wireless accessory products, and sales programs at mobile handset manufacturers, mobile network operators, the major U.S. distributors and major retailers in the Americas.

OSM Group is proud to announce that we now have our own SA8000 compliant manufacturing facility in Dongguan, China [SQCC Manufacturing]. The certification was accredited by the Den Norske Veritas (DNV) in October 2009.

SA8000 is a global social accountability standard for decent working conditions and has been described as:

"the first ever universal standard for ethical sourcing... It provides a common framework for ethical sourcing for companies of any size and any type, anywhere in the world. SA8000 sets out provisions for issues such as trade union rights, the use of child labor, working hours, health and safety at work, and fair pay."

To become certified as SA8000 compliant SQCC Manufacturing underwent a one-year evaluation where areas such as CSR, environment and work safety were scrutinized in detail. There are currently about 2000 SA8000 certified companies in the world whereof 231 in China (SAI official web site).

The goal for 2010 is to further develop our quality management systems at SQCC manufacturing to include below list:

• Secure Hazardous substance management by Implementing QC 80000
• Implement OHSAS 18001 to improve workers health and safety management
• Implement ISO 27001 to ensure information security (IT/IS) management systems

  SA8000 certification

The DICOTA Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of mobile computing equipment and until now part of the Masterflex AG, is with immediate effect now owned by the Swedish OSM Group. The strategic acquisition sees the global group specialized in accessories, retail display and premium products adding to its existing portfolio. This marks a further expansion of its market position in the design, manufacture and worldwide distribution of customized product solutions.

“We are extremely pleased with the move to the OSM Group” says Oliver Hascher, President of the DICOTA Group, commenting on the change in ownership. “As a result, the course is now set for the continued successful development of our company over the long term.”
“The enormous potential synergies available to us will be of benefit first and foremost to our customers across all segments” adds Michel Bracké, Chief Executive Officer of the OSM Group

DICOTA Group
The DICOTA Group, with its headquarters near to Stuttgart, has been developing, manufacturing and distributing high-quality notebook bags, customized case solutions and innovative mobile computing accessories since 1992. With nine independent country subsidiaries and over 80 partners, the organization has a global presence. This international focus enables the DICOTA Group to identify and actively shape new trends as they emerge.

OSM Group
The OSM Group, headquartered in Stockholm, was founded in 2005 and is a global company specializing in the design, manufacture and distribution of customized mobile accessories, retail display and premium product solutions. The Group’s customers include world leading brands mainly within the multi-media industry. With a total of ten offices, the OSM Group is a fast growing company that employs over 1000 people in Europe, Asia and the US.

www.dicota.com
www.osmglobal.com