Italian deal a first for Skunkworks

The worldwide take-up of flat screen television sets has provided South Perth-based manufacturer Skunkworks with its first major distribution deal in Europe.

Skunkworks, a division of the Novita Group, provides flat screen mounting solutions and recently signed IT distributor Elettronica Sillaro srl in Italy to distribute its range of products.

Elettronica Sillaro is regarded as one of southern Europe’s major IT and electronic suppliers. The distribution deal includes major electronic retailers such as Misco, Mworld and Mediamarket (or Mediaworld) throughout Italy. 

Skunkworks director Lou Schillaci said the distribution deal provided the company with a long-term partnership with one of Europe’s most respected distributors.

“It’s anticipated that the company’s revenue will be boosted by an additional 70 per cent, giving us the ability to reduce our manufacturing unit costs, through the economies of scale that this deal brings,” he said. 

Mr Schillaci told WA Business News the Novita Group last year opened a Skunkworks office and warehouse in the UK to service Europe and the US.

“Initially the distribution agreement will be looked after by the Australian business, but will be managed by our UK branch,” he said.

Mr Schillaci said the setting up of a UK office and warehouse was pivotal in securing the distribution deal with Elettronica Sillaro.

“[Elettronica Sillaro] have seven offices catering for 80 million people,” he said. “They have offices in every region of Italy.

Mediamarkt, one of the major electronic retailers in Italy, will distribute the product to between 30 and 40 stores.

“The distribution may be expanded to take in the other regions where these stores are represented,” Mr Schillaci said.

“Mediamarkt alone has 361 super-stores around the European Union.”

Established in 2004, Skunkworks’ range of more than 60 products provides mounting solutions for flat screen televisions and personal computers through to the top end plasma sets, with each model adhering to the international industry standard.

Initially, Mr Schillaci said, the deal would encompass the distribution of one quarter of Skunkworks’ products, which may increase to over one half of its product range within the year.

In 2005, Elettronica Sillaro sampled Skunkworks’ products and received feedback from their distribution network as to the quality and design of the Skunkworks line. 

The Italian distributor says the distribution deal with Skunkworks is “a welcome departure for us into the more stable and profitable low-tech end of the market”.

The Skunkworks range of brackets includes options for mounting screens flat to the wall, as well as on extendable arms with 360 degree movement of the screen. Skunkworks has also created a multi-arm system for the workplace, which accommodates multiple screens.

Skunkworks director Claire Linley said the company had been working hard to develop a range that suited the Australian consumers’ requirements and budgets.

The Novita Group Pty Ltd owns Skunkworks as well as the consultancy business E PORT Consulting.