Vertu, the world’s leading manufacturer of luxury mobile phones, was purchased by entrepreneur Hakan Uzan in mid-March of 2017. The first big investment is coming with a major agreement with TCL Communication. This agreement, worth $40 million, will enable Vertu to use advanced and innovative technology from TCL Communication for 30,000 handcrafted Vertu high-end phones, to be produced at the Vertu facility in Church Crookham, Hampshire. It is the first of many, considerable investments Vertu is making into the business.
While the company has moved its corporate offices to Paris, all Vertu products are designed and manufactured in the UK, with around 90 per cent destined for export markets. The company has operated from its Hampshire base since 2000, shipping its first phone in 2002.
To date, Vertu has sold more than 500,000 devices worldwide. The new Vertu phones have an entry selling price of £7,500 and the company has more than 225,000 registered users.
The announcement is seen as a first step in helping Vertu enable its full potential as a powerful global brand. Under new patronage and the leadership of Hakan, Vertu is going through a substantial restructuring and modernisation of all its business units.
“Customers will have access to limited, special edition Constellation X products as soon as mid-July, with full ramp up by early September. The new generation of Vertu Concierge Services will start being introduced in mid-July in limited markets, with a new wide ranging portfolio of Vertu Life Style Products becoming available in Vertu Boutiques in early September,” commented Hakan Uzan.
Vertu AK France, the parent company, is aiming to launch new services and products in September, alongside announcing several exclusive luxury partnerships with leading global brands. The new products will be sold in the key luxury markets of France, UK, China, Asia, Russia, Western Europe and the Middle East.
TCL Communication Technology Holdings Limited (TCL Communication) designs, manufactures and markets an expanding portfolio of mobile and internet products and services worldwide under three key brands – TCL, Alcatel and BlackBerry.
Vertu Signature collection is composed of devices made from the strongest materials, handcrafted to withstand the toughest possible conditions.
