With four ex-Compaq managers having left the company since the great marriage was consecrated, tongues have been wagging over the state of the post-merger HP South Africa. However, most perceptions of trouble in the union would seem to stem from communication issues.

Local MD Henry Ferreira acknowledges some problems, but says they`re not nearly as big as they look. “There is no business on earth that`s not going to be without some challenges. Particularly when you consider a merger of the size that we`ve gone through, there will be some challenges.”

He says while a merger naturally creates an increase in staff turnover, in this case the managers that left did so for reasons of career advancement – rather than to escape the new HP.