Сorporate milestones

MERLION maintains its leading position in the Russian IT market and is included in the list of Russia’s largest companies (according to Кommersant/Dengi, Forbes, Expert, Finance). The company has once again confirmed its status as the “Best IT distributor” (iXBT.com).

The company’s projects continue their active development. Thus, ”POSITRONICA”, a federal chain of electronics stores, has 200 own and franchise stores in 155 Russian cities as well as the online store which covers all the cities where “POSITRONICA” chain is present.

Another retail project of MERLION, СITYLINK, expanded beyond Moscow in 2010 and now includes four full-scale stores in Moscow, Saint-Petersburg, Nizhniy Novgorod and Volgograd (opened in March 2011).

”IT Clinic Network” has been developing successfully – there are 71 clinics in 60 Russian cities.

Educational and consulting project for MERLION’s partners, MERLION Center of Competence, has won over its segment of customers and is progressing rapidly. During the first year of operation (the project was launched in September 2009), about 120 thousand people were trained; the traffic of the educational portal has reached 40 thousand visitors per month; the project portfolio includes 100 courses and trainings; the Center has its own classrooms that can accommodate up to 270 people; the first professional awards have been received.

In 2010, MERLION signed 21 new distribution agreements with major IT manufacturers: AZBUKA, BBK, VEKO, COMSTAR, FELLOWES, HYUNDAI, IOMEGA, JABRA, LBOOK, LEXAR, NANYA, OREGON SCIENTIFIC, POCKETBOOK, QNAP, SANDISK, SUPERMICRO, SUPRA, TEAM, TOSHIBA, WACOM, ZYXEL.

MERLION preserves its leading positions on the Russian IT Market and enters the list of Russia’s largest companies (Kommersant/Money, Forbes, Expert, Finance, CNews 100). Once again the Company confirms its status of “The Best IT Distributor” (iXBT.com, CRN/RE).

Active development of the Company’s retail projects is continued. CITILINK opens 13 products’ ordering and delivery outlets under its CITILINK mini trademark. All Moscow administrative districts are covered. POSITRONICA Nation-Wide Chain of Computer Stores includes over 170 stores in 140 Russian cities and towns. Online-shop is launched. Development of retail business is continued, 27 stores are opened in the North Federal District as part of the POISTRONICA-Kransoyarsk project since June 2009.

“Computer Clinic’s Network” successfully continues its development, 63 Computer Clinics are opened in 53 cities and towns in Russia.

A new project – MERLION Competencies Center – has been launched in 2009. The Project has been created with the purpose of rendering full-fledged assistance to SMB partner companies. It presumes offering on-site and remote education (over 60 training courses in various areas of business) and professional consulting services.

Since December 2009, MERLION has been developing new area of business, Home Appliances. The Company’s product portfolio was expanded by three product groups which are new for the Company’s IT specialization: “mobile phones”, “audio/video systems” and “home appliances”.

In 2009, MERLION signed distributor agreements with major IT vendors: Agestar, ASRock, Corsair, ECS, IOCELL Networks, JSP-TECH ENTERPRISE CO., Microsoft, Mio Technology, Olympus, PC PET, Sennheiser, Sigma, Targus, Transcend.

MERLION preserves its leading positions on the Russian IT Market and enters the list of largest Russian companies (CNews 100 2007, Kommersant, Expert, Forbes, and others).

In the last year the Company started active development of its own retail business.

New CITILINK retail project is launched (an online shop and a store offering products through electronic terminals).

The POSITRONICA project enters Moscow market. Two stores are opened in Moscow’s largest malls.

In 2008, MERLION once again confirmed its status of “The Best IT Distributor”.

Two MERLION’s Top Managers were recognized “Best Top Managers of 20008”.

Distributor agreements were signed with major IT vendors: AOC, D-Link, Dr.Web, Lenovo, Seagate.

MERLION preserves its leading positions on the Russian IT Market and enters the list of Russia’s largest companies (CNews 100 2007, Kommersant, Expert, Forbes, and others).

In 2007 the Company launched two new projects.
“Computer Clinics’ Network” – a nation-wide network of service centers – is a joint project by MERLION and its maintenance service partners. The project is developed using the franchising model.
MERLION Projects – development and implementation of infrastructural IT solutions for the corporate market.

In 2007, the Company was honored with prestigious awards: “The Best Dell Distributor in the EMEA Region”, “The Best IT Distributor of 2007”.

January. By the opinion of IXBT.com poll, MERLION is considered to be the Best Distributor of the 2006 year.

March. The first national computer retail store chain 'POSITRONICA' started working.

July. MERLION announced the launch of its new subsidiary - MERLION HOME SYSTEMS (MHS). MHS focuses on consumer electronics distribution.

MERLION kept leading positions on the Russian IT market (CNews/RBC, DigiTimes, Forbes, IT Europa, etc).

August. MERLION launched MERLION System Solutions, special business unit for corporate sales support.

October. MERLION announced a new project launch - building on the basis of its dealers the first all-country chain of computer retail stores 'POSITRONICA'.

January 1, 2004. LC-group announced the new corporate name - MERLION.

June. MERLION was recognized as the leading Russian distribution company (IT Europa).

September. Merger of MERLION and Taisu companies.

November. MERLION was recognized as one of the biggest Russian private companies. The company was ranked 32th in the TOP200 Russian private companies by Forbes version.

LC-group kept stable leading positions on the Russian IT market (CNews/RBC).

By the opinion poll conducted at iXBT.com, LC-group is named the Best Distributor of the year.

LC-group was recognized as the best Russian distributor of motherboards, momitors and scanners (Computer Elite 2003/GFK).

RIA "RosBusinessConsulting" ranked LC-group as the leader of the Russian IT market and the second largest distributor in Eastern Europe.

LC-group was recognized as the best Russian distributor of motherboards and monitors (Computer Elite 2002/GFK)

The merger of Citilink Group (Citilink, Denikin, Elsie) and Lizard results in the creation of LC-group - a large and wide range distributor of PC components, peripherals, networking hardware and office equipment.

Establishment of Denikin - the company, specialized in work on the local market. The same year the merger of Citilink, Denikin and Elsie gives birth to a large and wide range distributor on the Russian market - Citilink Group of Companies.

Establishment of Citilink - a niche distribution company specialized in the supplies of computer memory on the Russian market. In two years the company expands its portfolio and by 1996 becomes a wide range distributor of PC components.

Establishment of Lizard. The company's goal was to bring computer products from Asia-Pacific region manufacturers to the Russian market (specializes in graphic cards and motherboards). Later the company diversifies its products portfolio to become a wide range distributor.

Establishment of Elsie. Initially, Elsie specializes in PC assembly and channel sales, to re-focus later on sales of PC components.