Paul Bell Chosen to Head Dell's Europe, Middle East, Africa Region
Round Rock, Texas, February 15, 2000Dell Computer Corporation (Nasdaq: DELL), the world's leading direct computer systems company, today announced that Paul D. Bell has been named president of Dell Europe, Middle East and Africa, effective immediately. Mr. Bell succeeds John Legere, who has resigned from Dell.
Mr. Bell's European appointment is in addition to his position as a company senior vice president and co-general manager of Dell's worldwide home and small-business (HSB) group. He has devoted particular attention to expanding the company's HSB share in Europe, where last year Dell shipments of computer systems to home and small-business customers grew at nearly three times the industry rate.
Before joining Dell in July 1996, Mr. Bell, 39, was a managing consultant for Bain and Co. His time at Bain included extensive strategy work on behalf of Dell, spanning sales to major accounts, product development, warranty-cost reduction and expansion in the home-PC market.
"The profitable growth of our HSB segment under Paul's leadership has been exceptional," said Kevin B. Rollins, Dell vice chairman. "That portion of our business in the Americas is nearly five times its size just two and one-half years ago, when we stepped up our pursuit of home-PC and small-business customers, and our global HSB revenue exceeded $8 billion last year."
Mr. Rollins said that Mr. Bell also oversaw the rapid evolution of www.dell.com into one of the world's largest Internet commerce and customer-support sites. Sales through dell.com reached nearly 50 percent of revenue and averaged $40 million per day-up from $14 million a year ago-by the end of last year.
"That massive online presence, together with the direct relationships that are fundamental to our business model, give us tremendous credibility with customers who are making significant investments to build out their own Internet infrastructures," said Mr. Rollins. "That's true in Europe, where we've consistently grown faster than the total industry and are very well positioned both for today and the future."
Dell revenue from Europe, the Middle East and Africa exceeded $5.5 billion in the recently completed fiscal-year 2000, larger than the company's combined worldwide sales just four years prior. In Europe, Dell shipments last year expanded at nearly twice the industry rate.
Mr. Bell has more than 16 years of experience in consulting, finance, management and marketing in high-technology and other industries. He holds bachelor's degrees in fine arts and business administration from Pennsylvania State University, and a master of business administration degree in public and private management from the Yale School of Organization and Management.
About Dell Computer Corporation
Dell Computer Corporation is the world's leading direct computer systems company, based on revenues of $25.3 billion for the past four quarters, and is a premier provider of products and services required for customers to build their Internet infrastructures. The company ranks No. 78 on the Fortune 500, No. 210 on the Fortune Global 500 and No. 3 on the Fortune "most admired" lists of companies. Dell designs, manufactures and customizes products and services to customer requirements, and offers an extensive selection of software and peripherals. Information on Dell and its products can be obtained on the World Wide Web at www.dell.com.
