Shoden, which has been bought out by Hitachi unit Hitachi Data Systems (HDS), wants half of its revenue to come from Africa in the next three to four years, up from the current 10%.

The Johannesburg-based company says being a subsidiary of the global group will give it the muscle it needs to expand and accelerate its four- to five-year business plan. Shoden has grown at 40% on a compound annual basis since inception about 11 years ago, and is now looking north for more opportunities.

CEO Marc Trevenen says Shoden will target West and East Africa, and will implement a channel programme as part of its expansion plan. He explains Shoden will follow a constructive strategy, and not move north haphazardly.

Shoden, which has about 140 staff members, has subsidiaries in the UK, as well as in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Tony Reid, CTO of HDS in the UK, Ireland and sub-Saharan Africa, says Shoden will take a customer-centric approach and will follow its clients into new geographies.

Reid explains that buying Shoden was a “straightforward decision” as it is its only partner in sub-Saharan Africa and it did not want to set up a competitor. In addition, he says, HDS did not want one of its competitors to buy Shoden.

Shoden and HDS intend expanding in the region, and it makes sense to do so together, says Reid. “It was absolutely appropriate.”

Trevenen explains that 75% of Shoden`s business comes from its Hitachi line of products.

Shoden will continue operating the same way it always has, and will retain its name and staff, says Reid.

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