Barco Lighting Systems and AED group have confirmed a new partnership that will enable AED Distribution to serve as a 'master distributor' of High End Systems' products throughout the UK, France and BeNeLux. Effective immediately, this Agreement enables AED Master Distribution to make its large centralized stock available to other distributors and dealers. They will also have direct access to product knowledge, support as well as stock without having to deal with long manufacturing and/or handling and transport delays.

Glenn Roggeman, CEO of the AED group, comments, "Our mission as master distributor is to be a complete support tool to the distribution network with our experience of large demos, trainings, large stocks, experience in project sales, buying used equipment as trade in with leasing of new.

"The Distribution landscape is drastically changing and for regional distributors to have large stocks, a large spare parts inventory, a demo fleet, a support fleet or to offer a customized lease solution to their clients, becomes financially unrealistic. With AED Master Distribution every HES country distributor will have access to those unique solutions and be able to achieve their goals."

Bill Morris, CEO of High End systems, comments, "We have been committed to winning through the channel for 20 years. We view this relationship with AED Distribution as an extension of that commitment. The biggest challenges facing regional distributors today are the increasing demand on them to cash flow the business for their customers while maintaining inventory levels. Using AED Distribution as a master distributor addresses both of these needs.

"We will now have regional inventory in stock and a partner who can work with the network of distributors to shift inventory as-needed to best suit demand. AED also brings the ability to finance virtually any deal in the region on behalf of the channel partner. These are value-added services that are needed but difficult to provide as a US-based manufacturer.

Hans Vanderheijden, MD of AED Distribution, comments, "AED Distribution is proud to represent a quality brand like High End. In synergy with the AED group, AED Distribution will bring the High End Systems products to a top position in the different market segments and help other distributors to have a bigger market share."