Acer chief Gianfranco Lanci resigns as tablet launch looms

Disagreements over strategy to blame

Acer president and chief executive Gianfranco Lanci has resigned with immediate effect following a falling out with the board about the direction of the firm.

The resignation comes less than a week after Acer cut its first-quarter PC sales forecast and subsequently saw shares plunge by 18 per cent.

Acer noted that Lanci disagreed with the board on strategy, but maintained that the resignation will not affect day-to-day operations.

"They placed different levels of importance on scale, growth, customer value creation, brand position enhancement, and on resource allocation and methods of implementation," Acer said in a statement.

"Acer will continue to push for globalisation, follow its multi-brand and channel business model, develop competitive products and services, and foster closer relations with key vendors and channel partners."

Acer chairman J T Wang has been tasked with leading the firm in the short term, and said that the PC market will remain a core part of the business.

"In addition, we are stepping into the new mobile device market, where we will invest cautiously and aim to become one of the leading players," he added.

"In this new ICT industry, Acer needs a period of time for adjustment. With the spirit of entrepreneurship, we will face new challenges and look to the future with confidence."

Acer has been cautious in its approach to the handheld market and has had limited success with its Stream smartphones. The next 12 months are shaping up to be pivotal, as Acer is about to embark on an aggressive push into the tablet market with the release of its Iconia W500 and A500 tablets in April.

The manufacturer could see revenues continue to slide if these tablets fail to perform, especially as PC sales continue to decline in Europe.

Meanwhile, Acer has appointed Walter Deppeler as EMEA president. EMEA is currently Acer's largest market, where the firm holds the number one position when it comes to laptop sales.