www.printitreseller.uk PRINT, MFP, SOFTWARE, SERVICES, DOCUMENT & CLOUD NEWS & INFORMATION FOR VARS, CONVERGED RESELLERS & MFP DEALERS ISSUE 130 · 2025 20 25 Royal Lancaster · December 2 Entries close 5pm Friday July 18 PRINT IT RESELLER MAGAZINE IN PRINT & ONLINE SINCE 2011 CLICK OR SCAN FOR MORE INFORMATION
This latest line-up aims to enhance Brother’s portfolio, offering feature-rich, simple-to-use and easy to connect inkjet devices at a competitive price, meeting the evolving needs of modern home office environments and small workspaces. The new inkjet printers now feature 5GHz Wi-Fi connectivity, along with the Brother Mobile Connect app, users can easily manage their printers from their mobile devices, print from the cloud, scan, and check ink levels. Learn more about the A4 inkjet range www.brotherzone.co.uk/mini-inks Connected, stylish, compact Brother's new range of A4 compact inkjet printers to transform home office efficiency www.brotherzone.co.uk/mini-inks
PRINTITRESELLER.UK 3 COMMENT The deadline to submit your entries to the PrintIT Awards is fast approaching. I know from speaking to many of you that you are working hard on your submissions, but please remember to upload them to the awards site before 5pm on Friday July 18. The judging sessions are firmly fixed and our panel needs time to thoroughly review all of the entries before the final decisions are made. So, please don’t be late and risk your hard work not being recognised – you’ve got to be in it to win it! Technology is perceived to be an exciting sector for young people in areas such as cybersecurity, AI and software development – but does print have the same pull? PrintIT Reseller spoke to some of the industry’s leading vendors about how we can make print appeal to the next generation, and how as prospective employers do they attract tech-savvy young talent – see page 40. Next issue we’ll hear from some of the channel’s rising stars. Also in this issue, Rob Webb, Marketing Manager at FUTERA, picks the work tools he uses every day and couldn’t do his job without (page 18). This month’s Q&A is with John Jones, Commercial Manager, IPSL and PITR spent 60 seconds with Laura Taylor, People and Operations Manager, Managed Print Solutions. If you’ve got any news about your business to share, would like to be included on our monthly VOX POP panel, have a compelling business success story or simply wish to comment on any industry issues, please get in touch with me at: [email protected] Michelle Ryder, Editor Editor’s Comment Register online To receive your regular FREE printed copy of PrintIT Reseller Magazine simply fill in our online registration form at www.printitreseller.uk/register Read PrintIT Reseller online at: www.printitreseller.uk Join us : Follow us @print-it-reseller-magazine PRINT IT RESELLER MAGAZINE IN PRINT & ONLINE SINCE 2011 PrintIT Reseller is published by Kingswood Media Ltd., 7 Amherst House, 22 London Road, Sevenoaks TN13 2BT • Tel: 01732 759725 Email: [email protected] www.printitreseller.uk No part of PrintIT Reseller can be reproduced without prior written permission of the publisher. ©2025 Kingswood Media Ltd. 2025 ISSUE 130 printitreseller.uk If you no longer wish to receive PrintIT Reseller magazine please email your details to [email protected] Group Editor: James Goulding 07803 087228 · [email protected] Editor: Michelle Ryder 01732 759725 · [email protected] Publishing Director, Social Media and Web Editor: Neil Trim 01732 759725 · [email protected] Advertising Director: Ethan White 01732 759725 · [email protected] Account Manager: Jeff Root 07976 950285 · [email protected] Designer: Brian Cloke 07484 288189 · [email protected] Issue 130 ISSN 2055-3110 (Print) ISSN 2055-3129 (Online) 04 Bulletin Where do you take yours? 06 Bulletin News from the channel 16 People A round-up of new hires 18 I couldn’t do my job without... Rob Webb picks his favourite work tools 20 A decade in print Paul Lees shares his print experiences over the past decade 22 PrintIT Awards The clock is ticking, time to get your entries in 24 Events PrintIT Reseller and Technology Reseller Golf Society 26 Focus on: What’s New A round-up of recent product launches 29 Opinion Growth opportunities for resellers 30 Analytics Is print analytics the key to workplace transformation? 32 Cover Story Brother’s Greig Millar talks MPS opportunities 34 Research Cloud remains a top investment priority 36 Conference Michelle Ryder reports from Canon’s partner conference 40 VOX POP Attracting young talent to a career in print 46 Industry Insight Nick Taylor, Head of OP Sales, Epson UK 48 View from the Channel John Jones, Commercial Manager, IPSL 50 60 seconds with… Laura Taylor, People and Operations Manager, Managed Print Solutions
01732 759725 4 BULLETIN BULLETIN Where do you take yours? We’re all about championing print at PrintIT Reseller, so don’t forget to get your camera out and send me a pix of yourself reading our magazine in the most unusual, far-flung spot you can find, and you could be featured in our next issue! PrintIT Reseller attended Canon’s partner conference which took place June 12 (see page 36) and naturally, the magazine was a must-read among the attendees! We want to see where you take your issue - whether it's atop a mountain, on a deserted beach, or even in the heart of a bustling city - we want to see where our magazine travels with YOU! Please send your pix to me at [email protected] Just before sitting down for an interview with PrintIT Reseller, Gareth Pearce, Canon’s Head of Channel Sales, looked up the questions for the Decade in Print feature, you can read his responses next issue. Canon’s Indirect Channel Marketing Specialist Hannah Parkinson, and PR and Social Media Manager Suad Bawa-Paintsil, picked up the latest issue during the coffee break. Mark Emmett, Digicorp, Andrew Thomas, Canon and John Reynolds, Workplace Print and Data. Canon’s Donald MacKinnon pictured with James Spencer and Warren Colby from Agilico. Dan Stevens was checking if Dupliq was featured in the magazine, while fellow director Chris Pollard and Canon Account Manager Danny Roe looked on.
Your customers need it. But they won’t need IT. We make work, work. Our desktop printers for SMBs are so simple to set up and manage, your customers won’t need any further support from you. Until they come back to buy toner. ©2025 Xerox Corporation. All rights reserved. Xerox® is a trademark of Xerox Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Partner and prosper with the industry innovator. Xerox offers award-winning technology and innovative print and digital solutions. Partner with us to boost your business and stay ahead in the competitive marketplace. xerox.co.uk/prit
01732 759725 6 BULLETIN KRL Group to support Daisy Appeal KRL Group has chosen Daisy Appeal as its charity of the year for 2025. The Hull-based company is also a proud sponsor of the Mischief of Rats sculpture trail, created in partnership with the charity to raise funds and awareness. The Daisy Appeal supports early diagnosis for three of the region’s most devastating diseases – cancer, heart disease, and dementia – through cutting-edge research and medical imaging technology based at Castle Hill Hospital. From 1,500 scans per year to over 5,000, the Daisy Appeal’s growth has transformed local healthcare. Now, with the opening of its Molecular Imaging Research Centre and the potential to acquire one of the UK’s most advanced full-body digital scanners, its impact is set to grow even further. Funds raised through the sculpture trail will directly support this next phase, helping to double scanning capacity and continue life-saving work across Hull and East Yorkshire. www.krlgroup.net Virtual race to the rising sun Evolve Document Solutions staff in Bamber Bridge near Preston, Lancashire, have accepted a virtual walking challenge charting a cultural route from Lancashire to Tokyo, Japan. The team of eight will collectively log their daily steps to symbolically travel more than 11,600 miles across Europe and Asia, passing through 16 cities known for their cultural landmarks before reaching Konica Minolta’s global headquarters in Tokyo. Staff are using the challenge to promote fitness and team engagement, with each person targeting 10,000 steps per day. As a group, they expect to cover 40 miles per day, with the challenge hopefully ending before Christmas. In a unique twist to promote mental health and well-being, each time the team walks with a friend or family member, they will be able to add their steps to the total, too. Daniel Maddox, owner of Evolve Document Solutions, said: “Walking to Tokyo sounded mad at first – but that’s what made it fun. It’s a great way to get everyone moving, raise some smiles, and learn about the world as we go. As a Konica Minolta supplier we wanted to walk virtually to the head offices of the company whose products we know so well. “We especially love the idea of walking with friends and family. This is what it is all about. It’s a big ask. But let’s see where it takes us.” The route begins in Bamber Bridge and travels through cultural capitals, including London, Paris, Berlin, Istanbul, Delhi, and Seoul. At each virtual stop, the team will share content themed around local customs, cuisine, and history to keep momentum and encourage participation. www.evolvedocumentsolutions.co.uk Ethos enable Document Despatch to produce direct mail on-demand Konica Minolta partner Ethos has provided Basingstoke-based direct mail specialist Document Despatch, with the latest AccurioPress C14000e digital production press. Replacing an existing black-and-white press and a litho press, the AccurioPress C14000e gives Document Despatch the flexibility to produce direct mail print on-demand. Malcolm Baker, Sales Director at Document Despatch, said: “The AccurioPress C14000e offers simple operation, superb finish, full‑colour calibration, and the ability to produce postcards at 10 times the speed of our previous solution. Within the first 10 days, we produced over 240,000 multi-merged statement packs for our customers.” Lewis Annis, Professional Print and MPS New Business Sales Manager at Ethos added: “I have known Document Despatch for many years and have gained a deep understanding of their direct mail environment and operational requirements. Their decision to invest in the AccurioPress C14000e was driven by its outstanding productivity, robustness, and ease of use compared to other solutions available in the market. This investment will not only support their current volume targets but also significantly improve turnaround times for their clients. Additionally, it provides them with the scalability needed to grow and enhance their production capabilities moving forward.” www.ethos.co.uk, www.documentdespatch.com Agilico launches schools for change initiative Agilico has launched a nationwide initiative helping UK schools reduce their environmental footprint through sustainable print solutions and inspiring educational resources. The Schools for Change initiative invites schools across the country to join a growing community committed to greener practices, from cutting carbon emissions to sparking vital conversations about topics such as ocean conservation. Head of Marketing, Sam Saunders, said: “At Agilico, sustainability is not a side initiative, it’s central to everything we do. With Schools for Change, we’re empowering educational institutions to make tangible environmental strides.” Schools joining the programme can also make a Sustainability Pledge, receiving a personalised certificate and practical guidance to help reduce paper waste, energy use, and reliance on single-use plastics. www.agilico.co.uk
PRINTITRESELLER.UK 7 Epson recognises Active8 Active8 Managed Technologies has been awarded Best New Dealer of the Year at Epson’s 2025 dealer event. In a statement the company said: In just our first full year of partnership, this recognition is a testament to the dedication, innovation, and teamwork that drives everything we do. A huge thank you to Epson for the honour and to our incredible team for making this possible. https://a8mt.co.uk BULLETIN Workflo Solutions partners with Bitdefender, Workflo Solutions partnered with Bitdefender, to provide a free webinar designed to help businesses protect themselves from the ever-growing threat of cyber-attacks in this constantly evolving digital landscape. During the webinar which took place on June 2, Workflo Solutions’ Managing Director, Michael Field and Bitdefender’s Paul Tonner, Managed Security Specialist, and Razvan Strambu, Inside Sales Engineer highlighted how ransomware and data theft remain top cyber security threats, with attackers increasingly targeting smaller businesses to gain access to larger supply chains. The session explored the latest tactics used by cyber criminals, the real risks facing SMEs, and practical steps businesses can take to protect sensitive data, defend against extortion attempts, and strengthen their security posture. In addition, all attendees received a complimentary cyber security audit. Field said: “The digital landscape is constantly evolving and cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, so it’s imperative that all businesses remain vigilant. From the latest ransomware and phishing tactics emerging in 2025, to common vulnerabilities in IT infrastructure, print systems, and supply chains – we want to help businesses apply these expert insights to create real-world strategies to safeguard their data and build long-term cyber resilience across their organisations.” The webinar is the latest in a series of events Workflo Solutions has planned for the coming months. Upcoming webinars will feature experts from the likes of Pax8, ingram Micro and Gamma. www.workflo-solutions.co.uk Flotek unveils managed print division Flotek Group has launched a dedicated managed print division in response to rising demand from customers looking for a reliable, responsive and forward thinking technology partner who understands their print and document management requirements as a key element of their wider technology strategy – particularly in sectors such as legal and professional services. Group Managed Print Service Manager Andrew Peto will lead the division and drive its growth, working closely with Flotek’s account management and IT support teams to identify and deliver on customer requirements. He said: “I wanted to join a fast-growth business committed to innovation and excellence. Flotek Group’s vision aligns perfectly with my goals, and I am thrilled to be part of this exciting journey. Our focus on customer service will be a cornerstone of our new division.“ Since investing in OES in 2024, Flotek has achieved significant growth in existing print customers seeking its IT, cyber & communication services. The launch of its dedicated managed print division is expected to open new business opportunities and enable cross-selling of services across IT and communications, further driving growth. https://flotek.io/ SDS attends business expo Konica Minolta supported SDS, its only elite partner in the Southwest, at the Sedgemoor Business Expo last month. During the event, SDS showcased Konica Minolta’s multifunctional print devices, along with software innovations including mobile device printing/scanning, printon-demand booklet making, and the PaperCut print management solution. www.sdsltd.uk.com Active8 Directors Daren Hayward and Nick Swindin with Epson’s Nick Taylor Carbon opens Newcastle business hub Aberdeen-headquartered Carbon Group has opened a new regional base in Newcastle, its first English office and a significant step in the company’s UK expansion strategy. Located at Cobalt Business Park in North Tyneside, the six-figure investment in the new base marks a new chapter in Carbon’s longterm growth plan and establishes a strategic foothold in Northeast England. Carbon has grown significantly in recent years, achieving 150% growth and £3.8 million in revenue by the end of its 2025 financial year. Launched to provide enhanced support to clients across Newcastle, Sunderland, Durham, Teesside and the wider region, the new regional base reinforces its commitment to delivering local service on a national scale. The recently opened Newcastle office represents the next logical step in its expansion journey following its move into Scotland’s Central Belt. “Opening a new office in Newcastle was a natural next step for us,” said Stewart Hunter, Regional Director for Carbon. “Newcastle and the wider Northeast represent a huge opportunity, not just in terms of business growth, but in how we can better support the clients we already work with in the region. I’m proud to be leading our efforts here and look forward to contributing to the business community across the Northeast and beyond.” www.carbon-group.co.uk Stewart Hunter
01732 759725 8 BULLETIN Merger approved Integra Business Solutions and Office Friendly have announced their merger and formation of the BLOC Group has been officially approved by shareholders. Integra’s CEO Aidan McDonough will take on the role of Chairman and office Friendly’s Jeanette Caswell will be Managing Director. McDonough said: “It’s a pleasure to be able to confirm the coming together of Integra and Office Friendly and the beginning of a new exciting chapter as the BLOC Group. This is a bold step forward in creating a stronger, more agile organisation that’s better positioned to serve our members and key partners in an evolving marketplace.” The merger brings together two highly respected organisations with a shared vision to empower independent dealers through diversification, collaboration, and unparalleled services and support. www.bloc-group.co.uk UK distribution partner Certes, a global provider of datacentric cybersecurity and post-quantum protection, has announced a strategic distribution partnership with a UK-based distributor Kompingo. This distribution agreement marks a major milestone in Certes’ growth strategy, as the company continues to expand its channel ecosystem and deliver data-first protection at a time when perimeter security is no longer enough. The partnership with Kompingo will bring Certes’ differentiated approach to data protection to a wider network, enabling specialist resellers to address urgent market needs such as regulatory compliance (GDPR, DORA, NIS2), ransomware resilience, and postquantum data protection. Dan Panesar, CRO at Certes said: “We are excited to partner with Kompingo to bring our unique approach to data protection to the channel. Traditional security models focus on protecting the network perimeter, but attackers aren’t trying to steal the network – they’re after the data itself. With this partnership, UK channel partners servicing government and enterprise customers can now access our Quantum Safe DPRM data protection risk mitigation solution that ensures data remains protected, untampered, and useless to attackers, even in the event of a data breach. “Our channel partners can immediately benefit from delivering critical outcomes such as customer key ownership, data integrity assurance, and post-quantum readiness. These are not just technical features, they’re board-level risk mitigators that unlock margin‑rich opportunities for the channel.” https://certes.ai/ TD SYNNEX (has been appointed as a distributor in the UK and Ireland for Ciena, a provider of high-speed optical networking, routing systems and automation. The TD SYNNEX team is ready to support partners with on-boarding and extended technical and professional services along with the positioning of Ciena solutions with end-user customers. In addition, partners will benefit from the value-added services and extensive tools and resources that TD SYNNEX provides, including pre-sales technical consultancy, training and knowledge development and enablement and business development programmes. Simon Bennett, Managing Director, Advanced Solutions, UK and Ireland, TD SYNNEX, said: “Today’s dataintensive and AI-driven solutions are placing increasing demands on hybrid network infrastructures. TD SYNNEX is ready to support partners in addressing the tremendous opportunity that this agreement CrowdStrike and Ignition Technology expand partnership CrowdStrike has expanded its European distribution agreement with Ignition Technology, bringing the AI-native CrowdStrike Falcon cybersecurity platform to Ignition’s partner base in six strategic markets - Benelux, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece. The new agreement builds on CrowdStrike and Ignition’s success in the UK, Ireland and the Nordics, addressing growing demand throughout the European region to stop breaches and consolidate cybersecurity tools with the Falcon platform. The expanded partnership addresses growing demand for a unified platform that reduces operational complexity, replaces disjointed point products, and delivers real-world security outcomes. “Our partnership with Ignition continues to deliver what matters most: protecting customers and stopping breaches,” said Dan Danielli, Vice President of global distribution at CrowdStrike. “By expanding our partnership in key European markets, we’re doubling down on our partner-first strategy, enabling more partners to drive consolidation, reduce risk and deliver real results with the power of the Falcon platform.” Peter Ledger, CEO of Ignition Technology added: “Our success with CrowdStrike has been transformational. The Falcon platform is fast becoming the cybersecurity standard for our customers, who see clear value in consolidating onto a single platform. As demand grows, our partnership continues to expand – enabling partners to deliver outcome-driven security and real business value to organisations of all sizes.” www.crowdstrike.com, www.ignitiontechnology.com brings for partners to provide the exceptional high performance that Ciena’s networking solutions deliver.” https://uk.tdsynnex.com/ Dan Panesar Simon Bennett TD SYNNEX signs agreement with Ciena Peter Ledger
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01732 759725 10 Exertis launches two new internal support groups Exertis has launched two new support groups for its people to benefit from. Employee resource and support groups play a core part in the people experience at Exertis, they champion talent and provide a safe space for those who identify as part of the community. Creating opportunities and platforms for meaningful dialogue and education, the groups also work in partnership with the people function to enhance policies and processes. The distributor has had a trained mental health first aider support group for a number of years which was complemented two years ago with women, ethnicity and LGBTQIA+ employee resource groups being set up. Last year the enable network (for neurodiverse and differently-abled colleagues) launched, as well as the menopause support group. The most recent additions are the fertility and men’s support groups which formed recently following colleague requests. In addition, Jo Lawrence has been named Chief People & Inclusion Officer, highlighting the continuing importance Exertis places on DEI. www.exertis.co.uk BULLETIN Cohesity appoints UK distributor Cohesity has appointed TD SYNNEX as its UK distributor. The move offers new potential for partners to grow their business and deliver cloud-native data management and protection solutions to their customers. The agreement will also provide stability and consistency for Veritas partners as they transition to the Cohesity partner programme. https://uk.tdsynnex.com, www.cohesity.com Strategic partnership Cloud and SaaS cybersecurity distributor Ignition Technology has signed a strategic partnership with Claroty. The partnership will enable cybersecurity partners across EMEA to capitalise on the rapidly growing markets for operational technology (OT) and industrial internet of things (IIoT) security. The partnership’s initial focus will be on the UK and Ireland, with further roll-out across EMEA in the coming months. Sean Remnant, Chief Strategy Officer at Ignition Technology said: “We see a massive opportunity for traditional security partners to capitalise on the growing need for customers to protect mission-critical environments as IT and OT infrastructures converge. The addition of Claroty’s CPS platform to our vendor portfolio, alongside the likes of CrowdStrike, will enable partners to truly differentiate themselves, add value to their customers, and generate new market opportunities. We’re excited by the possibilities that lie ahead.” www.ignition-technology.com Jo Lawrence Sean Remnant Recognition for TD SYNNEX TD SYNNEX has officially been named as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces for Development 2025 by Great Place to Work, the global authority on workplace culture. The company is ranked 26th in the UK’s Best Workplaces for Development List, which recognises companies that make co-worker development a key part of their culture. To qualify, workplaces need to offer co-workers the chance to better themselves, learn new skills, and progress within the organisation. Inclusion in the list demonstrates that TD SYNNEX actively supports every co-worker’s own tailored growth journey, that co-workers are fuelled by a sense of purpose, feel valued, and give their best to the organisation. “Being recognised for a second year is an acknowledgement of the company’s ongoing commitment to its co-workers,” said Jodie Carroll, Senior Director, Human Resources, UK and Ireland, TD SYNNEX. In April, TD SYNNEX was Certified by Great Place to Work for the third year in succession. For that survey, more than 71% of the company’s UK co-workers provided feedback about the culture, programmes and practices that make the TD SYNNEX workplace unique. https://uk.tdsynnex.com Jodie Carroll Exertis Cybersecurity partners with BlockAPT Exertis Cybersecurity has announced a partnership with cybersecurity innovator BlockAPT, to bring its vendor-agnostic, self-defending, autonomous cyber defence platform to Exertis Cybersecurity’s partners and customers globally. BlockAPT’s central management platform consolidates cybersecurity monitoring, automation, threat intelligence, incident response, and policy enforcement into a single, centralised command console - radically transforming how security operations are managed and scaled. The BlockAPT platform provides real-time, end-toend visibility across an organisation’s entire security stack. Its vendor-agnostic orchestration engine integrates with over 80+ leading security tools, giving IT teams and security professionals the power to automate repetitive processes, rapidly detect threats, and respond to incidents in seconds – not hours. By enabling smarter, streamlined security operations, BlockAPT empowers Exertis Cybersecurity partners to deliver tangible business outcomes for their customers – reduced cyber risk, faster response times, stronger compliance, and optimised security spend. Dominic Ryles, Sales & Alliance Director, Exertis Cybersecurity said: “We are thrilled to welcome BlockAPT to the Exertis Cybersecurity portfolio. Their platform brings exceptional innovation to the cyber risk space - allowing our partners to unlock faster, more intelligent security operations for their customers. This partnership represents our ongoing commitment to delivering world-class, bestin-breed technology that drives resilience and results across enterprise environments.” www.exertis.co.uk, www.blockapt.com Dominic Ryles
Scan or visit arivia.katun.com to learn more. © 2024 Katun. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Katun is changing the way we do business to bring our clients simplification. With more than 45 years of industry experience, we proudly introduce Arivia™ multifunction printers. • High-performance printing • Superior image quality • Advanced security solutions • Intuitive design • Commitment to sustainability Katun Arivia Print IT Reseller Ad.indd 1 11/8/24 11:51 A bliQ keypointintelligence.com/bliq The Industry’s Most Comprehensive Resource The independent, go-to research platform for print and smart technology, bliQ provides data on tested hardware and software as well as specifications and other details about 65,000+ products.
01732 759725 12 BULLETIN Brother scoops multiple BLI awards Brother UK has been awarded the 2025 A4 Line of the Year Award by Keypoint Intelligence, with the win acknowledging the range’s performance, reliability and value. The award is presented annually by Keypoint Intelligence’s Buyers Lab (BLI) division, which recognises manufacturers that consistently deliver outstanding hardware across their product range. Keypoint Intelligence’s expert analysts rigorously test devices on a range of criteria, including reliability, ease of use, feature set and total cost of ownership. This year, Brother’s latest generation of A4 mono laser printers performed strongly across all categories, securing the award. Alongside this recognition, Brother also secured multiple BLI 2025 Pick Awards including Brother HL-L5210DN – professional network A4 mono laser printer; Brother HL-L6410DN – high-performance professional network A4 mono laser printer; Brother MFC-L5710DN – professional all-in-one A4 mono laser printer; and Brother MFC-L5710DW – professional wireless all-in-one A4 mono laser printer. Brother UK’s Chief Revenue Officer Greig Millar said: “Winning the BLI 2025 A4 Line of the Year Award is a proud achievement for Brother and reinforces our commitment to delivering reliable, high-quality print solutions that our partners and their customers can trust. “The design and functionality of the line-up reflects the needs of today’s hybrid and digitally connected work environments, allowing businesses to work securely and efficiently. This win further demonstrates our consistent innovation, our commitment to helping businesses work smarter and how we remain At Your Side in an ever-evolving workplace.” www.brother.co.uk Triple win for Fujifilm Fujifilm has won three awards at the 2025 European Digital Press Association (EDP) Awards, which were held during FESPA 2025 in Berlin. Fujifilm received the following awards – Best Digital Embellishment, Packaging: FUJIFILM DE1024 Digital Embellishment Printbar; Commercial Printing, Cutsheet Printer (up to B3 < 250,000 A4/month): Revoria Press SC285S; and Water-Based Inks: AQUAFUZE. The achievement follows Fujifilm’s triple award win at the 2024 EDP awards. www.fujifilmprint.eu Domino reveals carbon reduction plan Domino Printing Sciences has outlined an ambitious carbon reduction plan, including targets to achieve carbon neutrality across scope 1 and 2 emissions and a 25% reduction in scope 3 emissions by 2030, based on 2022 levels. The plan also aims for net zero by 2050. Domino’s carbon reduction plan focuses on reducing direct scope 1 and 2 emissions across all manufacturing and logistics processes. This includes the use of solar power and renewable energy, reducing air freight, optimising transport and logistics, and implementing internal waste reduction activities. Scope 3 reductions focus on improving product design and development by increasing the use of recycled, renewable, and low-carbon materials, enhancing product efficiency, and developing reliable solutions aimed at helping customers to combat manufacturing waste. As part of Domino’s carbon reduction plan, direct emission reductions will be prioritised in all cases, with any residual emissions offset through carbon offset projects or carbon technologies for residuals in 2050. “We are very pleased to announce our carbon reduction plan and environmental goals and look forward to working with our customers and supply chain partners to achieve net zero by 2050,” said Jessica Büttner, Group Environmental Impact Manager, Domino.” www.domino-printing.com Strategic collaboration Ricoh has announced a major strategic collaboration with ServiceNow, the AI platform for business transformation, to deliver a unified service delivery platform. The collaboration aims to provide Ricoh’s customers and employees with seamless, intelligent, and responsive digital management of modern workplaces. This collaboration will see Ricoh leverage ServiceNow’s platform to unlock the talent of its European workforce and improve operational efficiencies by standardising service management processes across its entire European business portfolio. ServiceNow’s generative AI capabilities will automate and curate knowledge around complex solutions, and dynamic translations will enable experts to collaborate easily with colleagues in different countries. www.ricoh.co.uk Top rated awards ECI Software Solutions has announced that eight of its products have received a 2025 Top Rated Award from TrustRadius, a platform for independent business technology reviews. This recognition underscores ECI’s commitment to delivering exceptional value and customer experiences across its product portfolio. ECI’s honoured products include a total of five enterprise resource planning solutions: JobBOSS2, M1, and Ridder iQ for manufacturers; e-Automate for the imaging industry; and Red Falcon for office suppliers. They were joined by the EvolutionX ecommerce platform, JumpTrack last-mile delivery software, and Printanista printer management solution to complete the full slate of honourees. This year’s success builds on the company’s four 2024 Top Rated Awards, with JobBOSS2, Ridder iQ, EvolutionX, and JumpTrack all winning for a second consecutive year. “We’re honoured to receive widespread recognition for the strength of our solutions,” said Trevor Gruenewald, CEO at ECI Software Solutions. “These awards are especially meaningful because they reflect the day-to-day impact our technology has on our customers and our commitment to helping small to medium businesses streamline operations and scale with confidence. We thank our customers for their trust and feedback, which inspires us to keep raising the bar.” www.ecisolutions.com
PRINTITRESELLER.UK 13 BULLETIN Ricoh Europe launches new partner programme Ricoh Europe has introduced its first EMEAwide partner programme. Ricoh Unity will unify partners and act as a gateway to access new benefits, tools, resources, services, support and information, to effectively help them drive growth and thrive in today’s competitive market. The new programme recognises and rewards partners and will introduce specialisms and acknowledge their capabilities and certifications to clearly identify which partner is best suited for customers. As they progress through the programme, partners unlock greater benefits, enhanced support, and increased opportunities to showcase their unique expertise and capabilities in the marketplace. Ricoh Unity will also bring a deeper focus on enabling an increased delivery of services which includes Ricoh’s suite of integrated offerings to help partners respond to the ever-changing work styles of their customers who are increasingly looking to interact digitally. David Mills, Chief Executive Officer at Ricoh Europe, said: “Created to simplify and strengthen how we work together, Ricoh Unity is designed to bring clarity, consistency, and greater opportunity to our relationships with partners across EMEA.” www.ricoh-europe.com HP’s supercharges sustainability HP is expanding the availability of HP certified refurbished PCs, enabling customers across the UK to participate in a circular economy, advance sustainability goals, and drive business outcomes. “Customers are looking for reliable multi-life devices to implement circular business practices and lower costs,” said Ruth Patterson, HP Managing Director for UK&I. “Our portfolio of HP certified refurbished PCs are designed to deliver manufacturer-grade devices while helping customers reach their goal, with the added assurance that all sensitive data has been scrubbed from the device.” Every HP certified refurbished PC undergoes a rigorous refurbishment process then is tested extensively and inspected to ensure optimal performance and reliability, undergoes data wiping procedures adhering to NIST standards, ensuring complete data erasure from the device and are backed by a one-year limited warranty. www.hp.com/renew Global strategic partnership Umango, a global player in intelligent document processing (IDP) and data capture solutions, has announced a global strategic partnership with Epson Europe. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in delivering seamless, embedded capture and automation capabilities directly on Epson’s range of multifunction devices and dedicated document scanners. Through this partnership, Umango’s advanced browser-based document capture solution is now fully supported on a selection of Epson MFPs and scanners. This enables users to experience powerful IDP features including OCR, OMR, handwriting recognition, and AI-powered extraction natively on their devices. “This partnership allows us to bring the best of Umango’s intelligent capture capabilities directly to where documents originate – at the device,” said Patrick Perrot, Manager of Product Management for Solutions at Epson Europe. “It significantly enhances the end-user experience and helps businesses streamline workflows with real-time data extraction and seamless integration into their existing systems.” www.umango.com, www.epson.eu SimplyUp partners with Intuitive BI Intuitive has announce SimplyUp Group as a new partner in the Czech Republic for Intuitive Dashboards. SimplyUp Group, formerly known as Print Partners, is a Czech-based company that transitioned from the office printing market to a digital document management and business process optimisation space. It offers managed print services and document digitisation solutions. SimplyUp Digital’s success in the document management market, using DocuWare software, has led to significant growth and achieving DocuWare platinum status in just three years. Roger Stocker, Intuitive CEO said: “We are delighted to welcome SimplyUp as a reseller for our dashboards. Their track record of being the first DocuWare partner in the Czech Republic and achieving platinum status so quickly demonstrates their strength. The expert team at SimplyUp coupled with our dashboards and expertise will prove a winning combination.” https://weareintuitive.com Recognition for Katun Katun has won the prestigious Customer Service of the Year Award at the 2025 Recycler Awards, held in Tallinn, Estonia. The annual event, which celebrates excellence and innovation in the imaging sector, brings together industry leaders and professionals from across Europe. Katun’s recognition as Customer Service of the Year reflects the company’s exceptional performance in customer support across a broad geographic region and exemplifies their ongoing commitment to supporting partners through reliability and responsiveness. www.katun.com David Mills
35 Years +
01732 759725 16 BULLETIN : PEOPLE Xerox unveils postLexmark acquisition leadership team As part of Xerox’s acquisition of Lexmark, it has announced that two distinguished Lexmark executives will join its Executive Committee at the close of the acquisition. The incoming Executive Committee members are Billy Spears, Chief Product Development & Delivery Officer and Chuck Butler, Chief Business Services Officer. Both bring deep industry expertise to Xerox and will play a critical role in shaping the future combined company as it integrates Lexmark’s imaging solutions and technologies into its portfolio. Further strengthening the Xerox leadership team, Kim Kleps will serve as Xerox Chief People Officer. “Welcoming these outstanding Lexmark leaders and naming Kim as Chief People Officer marks an exciting step forward for Xerox,” said Steve Bandrowczak, Chief Executive Officer at Xerox. “Their collective insight, experience, strategic vision, and commitment to innovation will be instrumental as we come together to build a stronger, more dynamic organisation and redefine what’s possible across print, digital, and IT services.” www.xerox.com Exertis bolsters gaming team Exertis has announced new talent in its gaming business unit, boosting its focus and capabilities in the gaming market. Barry Sales is the most recent addition to the Exertis consumer leadership team, joining as Business Development Director and reporting directly to Jon Sutherland, Managing Director of Exertis Consumer. Existing Xbox and Gaming General Manager, Gemma Walters, has now been promoted into a new Head of Gaming role reporting to Barry Sales. Rachel Town has joined the business to take over Walters’ previous role, responsible for Xbox, gaming and software, and reports to Stephen Duke, Sales and Commercial Director. Neil Cartwright has also been appointed Business Manager responsible for software and digital and will report to Rachel Town. Both Cartwright and Town arrive at Exertis with many years tenure at Game, bringing great industry relationships as well as unique perspectives which will enhance Exertis’ specialist gaming business. www.exertis.co.uk Gemma Walters Barry Sales Rachel Town Data Direct adds to team Caroline Savage has joined the Data Direct team to lead its wide format hardware and media division. Savage brings over 25 years of sales management experience and 15 years of industry-specific knowledge and expertise, which will be instrumental as Data Direct continues to grow and strengthen its offerings in this sector. www.data-direct.co.uk Caroline Savage
New face at Apogee Marc Pennington has started a new role as a Digital Sales Specialist at Apogee, working with the strategic & major accounts team. He said: “Joining a company that’s at the forefront of digital innovation is both an honour and a challenge I’m eager to take on. I look forward to collaborating with an incredible team, driving growth for key clients, and delivering cutting-edge digital solutions that make a real impact.” www.apogeecorp.com Marc Pennington EXCEPTIONAL TECHNOLOGY. EVEN BETTER SUPPORT. LONDON | BARCELONA | BOSTON HAMBURG | HONG KONG | ISTANBUL JOHANNESBURG | LYON | MEXICO CITY MIAMI | MILAN | NEW DELHI | SÃO PAULO SEOUL | SHANGHAI | SINGAPORE STOCKHOLM | TOKYO Printing with RISO isn’t just about putting ink on paper; it’s about the complete support network your customers gain alongside every machine. Our exceptional account management guarantees you’ll have the expertise, guidance, and partnership support to help you maximise every opportunity. With industry-leading reliability, lightning-fast speeds, and ultra-low running costs, our inkjet printers lead the way in low energy printing. Our products and company bring real value to new dealers and end-users, by offering something genuinely different and truly unique in the market. Make the RISO difference for your customers today. Contact RISO about becoming a [email protected] now. +44 (0)20 8236 5800 www.riso.co.uk PRINTITRESELLER.UK BULLETIN : PEOPLE PCL Direct appoints experienced sales specialist PCL Direct has appointed Mark Currie as its new UK and Export Sales Manager. A well-respected name in the industry, Currie brings over four decades of technical and commercial experience to his new role, having worked with leading manufacturers, dealers and remanufacturers throughout the print and imaging industry. Based in Kilmarnock, Scotland, he will be responsible for developing key relationships with dealers and distributors across the UK and further cultivating the company’s routes to export markets. His knowledge of Canon, Ricoh, UTAX and now Konica Minolta, will play a central role in helping to expand the group’s reach. Commenting on his new role, Currie said: “I’m excited to be part of a team with a shared drive and vision. With the combined knowledge and product range, we have a real opportunity to continue to grow in the UK and across Europe. I’m already introducing PCL Direct’s product range to my long-standing client base and looking forward to the opportunities ahead.” Andy Ellis Director at PCL Direct added: “We’re delighted to welcome Mark to the team. His experience and reputation across the imaging consumables sector are second to none. He’s already making a positive impact, and we’re looking forward to seeing the business grow as a result of his excellent reputation and experience in this important area.” https://pcl-direct.com Mark Currie Mark Hayzelden joins Dupliq Dupliq has welcomed Mark Hayzelden to the team. He brings a wealth of experience in the telecoms, mobile and connectivity industry and will play a key role in expanding the company’s customer base across the UK. https://dupliq.co.uk Mark Hayzelden
01732 759725 18 the panic and praise where it’s due! George, my right-hand man is always available. Reminding me of deadlines I’ve might have forgotten and catching the details I miss when I’m 20 tabs deep. I’d be a less effective (and more stressed) marketer without the group chat, thanks George! Notebook and pen Despite the tech obsession, I still love scribbling my thoughts in a notebook. My A5 pad is always in my laptop bag. The FUTERA name and brand was literally born at the back of one whilst having dinner in London. Nothing beats putting pen to paper when you need to think without notifications. Strong tea or a decent coffee A cliché of course but these really are essential. I rotate between builders’ tea (Yorkshire obviously) and any decent coffee. I’m not too fussy when it comes to coffee but I have a sweet tooth so a sweetener is a must! www.futera.co.uk Adobe Creative Suite Illustrator is my go-to, I love a vector but I bounce between all of the apps depending on the project. It’s where brands come to life. Assets, mockups, ideas scribbled in my notebook – all made real here. Although a pricey monthly fee, it really is worth the money IMO. Spotify / Music Playlists I have a very eclectic taste in music and it really depends on the day or project. From De La Soul and 90s Hip-Hop to Ludovico Einaudi playing Divenire or Bon Iver at AIR Studios (check it out on YouTube!). Playlists of Deep House when I need to get in the zone, R&B classics, and the odd Han Zimmer cinematic score when I’m up late trying to finish a deadline. Music really keeps me focused, especially in some noise‑cancelling headphones. Marketing Team’s chat (featuring George) Our team group chat is where everything comes together. The ideas, the memes, MacBook Pro Having come from an audio background, I’ve always been firmly in the Mac camp! My MacBook Pro is the engine of all my work. It handles everything from designing pitch decks to reviewing content plans, editing video and jumping between Teams calls. It’s always reliable and travels everywhere with me. I’d be lost (and probably unemployed) without it! Rob Webb, Marketing Manager at FUTERA, picks the tools he uses every day and couldn’t do his job without I couldn’t do my job without… WORKPLACE Rob Webb
20 25 Royal Lancaster · December 2 Categories SPECIAL AWARDS n Judges’ Special Award n Industry Leader of the Year CORPORATE AWARDS VOTING CATEGORIES n A3 MFP Vendor of the Year n A4 Printer/MFP Vendor of the Year n Finance & Leasing Provider of the Year Sponsored by Fujifilm UK ENTRY CATEGORIES n Channel Services Provider of the Year n Circular Business/Initiative of the Year n EOS Distributor of the Year n EOS Manufacturer of the Year n Hardware Distributor of the Year n MTL (manufacturing transport & logistics) Print Vendor of the Year RESELLER/DEALER AWARDS n Reseller of the Year (Turnover up to £3m) n Reseller of the Year (Turnover £3m+ to £9m) n Reseller of the Year (Turnover £9m+) n Client Project of the Year n Service Team of the Year (Turnover up to £5m) n Service Team of the Year (Turnover up to £5m+) GENERAL AWARDS n PrintIT Award for Environmental Excellence n PrintIT Award for Best Partner Programme n PrintIT Award for Employee Experience n PrintIT Award for Innovation PRODUCTS & SOLUTIONS AWARDS n A3 MFP Line of the Year n A4 Printer/MFP Line of the Year n Device Management Solution of the Year n Hybrid Working Solution of the Year n ISV Cloud Print Management Solution of the Year n OEM Cloud Print Management Solution of the Year n Scanner of the Year n Software Product of the Year PEOPLE AWARDS n Account Manager of the Year n Outstanding Team Member of the Year NEW for 2025 NEW for 2025 NEW for 2025 NEW for 2025 NEW for 2025 In association with: MAGAZINE & WEBSITE This year there are five new awards to enter... plus 3 Vendor categories that you can vote for – check out the entry criteria and enter online now. www.printitawards.co.uk Entries and Voting are NOW OPEN SPONSORSHIP To get even more involved we have a number sponsorship opportunities available leading up to and at the event. To enquire about Sponsorship Opportunities call Ethan, Neil, Jeff on 01732 759 725 or Paul on 07887 944433. Entries close 18 July at 5pm
01732 759725 20 Crest IT and the expertise in that business, we would probably be quite far behind other major players in the industry. Today, more than ever, customers want to deal with a single provider that can manage all of their needs across print, telecoms and IT, so that gives us a competitive edge. PITR: If you could change one thing about the last decade, what would it be? PL: I’m sure I’m not alone in wishing that COVID didn’t happen at all. But that said, there is a positive. That immediate impact on our business made us look at things in a very different way and it did force us to make some significant changes. Those changes were for the better and we are in a much stronger position, having gone through that than we were previously. The one thing I’d change is that we did that sooner, without COVID being the catalyst. PITR: What has been your proudest moment of the past 10 years? PL: My proudest moment is becoming a father. I have two amazing children who are growing up far too quickly, my eldest will soon start secondary school! PITR: Sum up the decade in three words. PL: Testing. Fun. Change. https://absabetterway.co.uk, https://crest-it.co.uk PITR: What was your first job? PL: I was a kitchen porter in the local pub. PITR: What has been the high point of the decade? PL: Making the fully committed move into IT by acquiring Crest IT seven years ago. Acquiring a business was a really big step, we’d never run an IT business before. The former owner Michael continued working with us and the two businesses complement each other, and more importantly we can support our customers across print, scan and IT so that’s a huge value-add. PITR: And the low point? PL: It has to be COVID. It’s the scariest thing I’ve ever gone through. I remember going to my dad for advice even though he’d retired, and him saying, nothing like that had ever happened before, so he didn’t have a golden fix. We sold one machine in the first month of lockdown, just looking at the order book and seeing one entry was surreal. And that was before the drop in recurring revenue due to print volumes falling. But we survived and thankfully, it’s now a distant memory. PITR: What (or who) has had the greatest impact in the sector in the last 10 years? PL: The convergence of IT and traditional managed print. If we hadn’t acquired PrintIT Reseller (PITR): You’ve been working in the print and IT industry for more than ten years. What led you to enter the sector? Paul Lees (PL): I was working at Comet, to be honest, just earning beer money – I was only 18. Then my dad, [founder of ABS UK] had someone in the warehouse move on without working notice, so he offered me an extra £50 per week to come in and help out. It was meant to be a short-term thing, but 20 years later, I’m still here! I should add that I didn’t get an easy ride being the boss’ son – in fact, it was quite the opposite. I remember I was five minutes late in the first couple of months, and he gave me a dressing down in front of everyone! I didn’t like it so much when I was 18, but now I’m older I totally get it. Paul Lees, Operations Director, ABS UK shares his experiences over the past decade, what he’s learned, and the highs and the lows of our unique and challenging industry A decade in print INTERVIEW Paul Lees
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