Vendor of power protection solutions American Power Conversion (APC) has named Dubai-based Tech Data FZ-LLC as the winner of its "Distributor of the Year" award.

The company manages APC's range of power protection and cabling solutions and systems as well as its broad line of laptop batteries, power adapters and portable inverters for notebook computers cable assemblies, printer and peripheral sharing and LAN cabling solutions in the Middle East.

The award recognises Tech Data's customer service as well as its product and marketing support strategies.

Founded in 1981, APC provides global, end-to-end availability enhancement solutions which include surge suppressors, uninterrupted power supplies, DC-based power systems, precision cooling equipment, cabling and connectivity solutions, power conditioning equipment and related software and professional and consulting services.

APC's products, services and accessory offerings are designed for both home and corporate environments to improve the availability, manageablility and performance of sensitive electronic, network, communication and industrial equipment of all sizes, the company said in a statement. Headquartered in West Kingston, Rhode Island, the company reported sales of $1.48 billion for 2000.

Tech Data Corporation is ranked 95th on the Fortune 500 list. The company and its subsidiaries serve more than 100,000 technology resellers in several countries and regions including the US, Canada, the Caribbean, Lain America, Europe and the Middle East.

Tech Data FZ-LLC is the largest trade-only distributor of computer hardware, software and services for the Mena (Middle East and North Africa) region.