Fujitsu Ltd and Siemens AG are set to expand their PC joint venture from Europe to North America and Asia, reports claimed yesterday.

Japanese giant Fujitsu and German technology behemoth Siemens pooled their European computing operations in 1999. The joint venture's portfolio ranges from mainframes to notebooks. However, to date only the Fujitsu PC brand has been marketed in Asia and North America.

However, according to Reuters, the companies are planning to expand their collaboration to North America and Asia. The news service also quoted Japanese reports that the companies will integrate their PC and server operations by year's end, resulting in the world's fourth largest PC group. According to a Fujitsu Siemens spokeswoman quoted by Reuters, the extension of the PC collaboration would be the last "tick in the box" in creating a global product range.

A Fujitsu US spokesman could not comment on the reports. He said that in the US, Fujitsu marketed PCs under its own brand. However, be noted that some clients may choose to source Fujitsu Siemens branded kit to ensure uniform equipment worldwide.

© ComputerWire

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