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LATIN eVENTURES AND INGRAM MICRO AGREE TO STREAMLINE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PURCHASING IN LATIN AMERICA THROUGH eAQUI.comCompanies Join Forces For Online Access To Worlds Largest Computer Product Inventory, Backed By World-Class Logistics ServicesIRVINE, Calif., May 11, 2000Latin eVentures Ltd., a holding company for Latin American electronic commerce ventures, and Ingram Micro Inc., the worlds largest wholesale provider of technology products and services, today announced they have signed a pan-regional agreement to execute a Latin American information technology (IT) e-marketplace known as eAQUI.com (www.eAQUI.com), providing online access to the worlds largest inventory of computer products for corporate customers. Latin eVentures, through its operating company, eAQUI.com, will offer corporate clients real-time online access to Ingram Micros expansive inventory of computer hardware and software products. eAQUI.com is an interactive electronic commerce destination that will improve the purchasing process for Latin American corporate clients by enabling them to make corporate IT purchases online. Ingram Micro will provide back-office logistics services to meet customer demand for eAQUI.com customers in Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Mexico. The initiative represents Ingram Micros first Latin American e-commerce relationship, expanding the companys e-business logistics engine into this growing market and supporting Latin eVentures with world-class logistics services to meet customer demand. Cenmar Fuertes, co-founder, president and chief executive officer of Latin eVentures, said, Together with Ingram Micro, we are changing the way technology products are purchased throughout Latin America. Ingram Micro has well-established roots in Latin America, and its name is synonymous with superior product selection, execution and service. Through this relationship, our corporate clients will have real-time, online access to the worlds largest inventory of computer hardware, software and networking products from the leading brand names in the computer industry. Real-Time Inventory, Price, Availability and Order Status In addition, Ingram Micros network, with seven distribution centers strategically located in major metropolitan areas throughout Argentina, Brazil and Chile, eight distribution centers in Mexico, its export organization in Miami and a subsidiary in Peru enables products to be shipped within 24 hours of receipt of a completed order online. "We are delighted to expand our e-logistics expertise into the Latin American market in partnership with Latin eVentures and eAQUI.com, said Don Lyman, senior vice president and president of Ingram Micro Latin America. We have an in-depth understanding of the Latin American IT market, a well-established distribution center network and an understanding of the infrastructure needs of online businesses through our solid track record with U.S. e-tailers, which will enhance this relationship and help eAqui.com satisfy its customers. Ingram Micro is the largest fulfillment and logistics provider for the emerging Internet retailer market, enabling more than 30 online businesses to sell technology products with real-time inventory management systems and order management capabilities. Based on first quarter 2000 performance, annualized sales to pure Internet storefronts exceed $1 billion per year, a 70 percent growth over last year. The creation of a site that will allow us in the IT industry to discuss technology-related subjects in various forums is of great value, said Carlos Augusto Guerra, technology manager for Accor Compass Group S.A. The eAQUI.com concept will change the way technological assets are purchased within organizations, bringing simplicity and ensuring the purchase process, such as quotations and analysis, is accomplished in a more time-efficient manner. Latin eVentures has been operating a beta version of eAQUI.com successfully in Brazil since December 1999. The companys Brazilian client roster boasts some of the leading FORTUNE 500 corporations, including Antarctica, Citibank and Nestli. About Ingram Micro Inc. About Latin eVentures Ltd.
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