NEC has left the European PC business. The Japanese-based company
said Monday it sold Packard Bell to a former co-founder of eMachines.
Although financial details were not disclosed, the buyer, John Hui,
“has extensive experience in the consumer personal computer business
and is well positioned to facilitate the future growth of Packard
Bell’s business,” NEC said in a statement.
In 2004, low-cost PC maker Gateway purchased
eMachines for $235 million in cash and stock.
Packard Bell consumer PCs are marketed in Europe, the Middle East,
Africa and South America.
However, NEC last year moved Packard Bell’s enterprise products to a
French unit.
“In light of, among other things, the focus on these separate
businesses, NEC decided it would be in the best interests of both PB
and NEC to sell Packard Bell to Mr. Hui,” according to a statement.
While NEC had little success with the consumer PC market outside
Japan, the company has been active elsewhere, including a venture to
develop a new 3G platform.