International Business

IBM, Czechs Reach Computer Deal: International Business Machines Corp. signed the accord with computer firm Elko Holding to assemble personal computers at the Czech company’s Prague plant, the two said. The venture is IBM’s first in mainland Europe to produce its PC 300 and PC 100 models, said Jan Dohnal, IBM’s general manager for the Czech Republic. “Beginning assembly in the Czech Republic can be understood as a confirmation of IBM’s efforts to locate production factories closer to the consumer,” Dohnal said. Previously, IBM’s plant in Greencock, Scotland, was the only European facility producing the models. IBM said the Prague plant has already begun producing the PC 300, with the PC 100 to follow soon.