PRINT, MFP, SOFTWARE, SERVICES, DOCUMENT & CLOUD NEWS & INFORMATION FOR VARS, CONVERGED RESELLERS & MFP DEALERS www.printitreseller.uk ISSUE 136 · 2026 PRINT IT RESELLER MAGAZINE IN PRINT & ONLINE SINCE 2011 Mike Anderson, Brother UK My life in print PAGE 20 VOX POP PAGE 40 Print predictions – part two PrintIT Awards PAGE 36 Oh what a night! 20 25 Royal Lancaster · December 2 Shop the Brother colour laser range now (YES PLEASE) 28% OFF UP TO High speed printing, no quality compromise A fully circular cartridge returns scheme Predictable monthly costs with Brother MPS When it’s worth printing, print it in colour. *T&Cs apply * PLUS 3 YEAR WARRANTY* AND UP TO £100 CASHBACK* Shop the Brother colour laser range now (YES PLEASE) 28% OFF UP TO High speed printing, no quality compromise A fully circular cartridge returns scheme Predictable monthly costs with Brother MPS When it’s worth printing, print it in colour. *T&Cs apply * PLUS 3 YEAR WARRANTY* AND UP TO £100 CASHBACK* Shop the Brother colour laser range now (YES PLEASE) 28% OFF UP TO High speed printing, no quality compromise A fully circular cartridge returns scheme Predictable monthly costs with Brother MPS When it’s worth printing, print it in colour. *T&Cs apply * PLUS 3 YEAR WARRANTY* AND UP TO £100 CASHBACK* (YES PL 28% UP TO High speed printing, no quality compromise A fully circular cartridge returns scheme Predictable monthly costs with Brother MPS Shop the Brother colour laser range now (YES PLEASE) 28% OFF UP TO High speed printing, no quality compromise A fully circular cartridge returns scheme Predictable monthly costs with Brother MPS When it’s worth printing, print it in colour. *T&Cs apply * PLUS 3 YEAR WARRANTY* AND UP TO £100 CASHBACK* Shop the Brother colour laser range now (YES PLEASE) 28% OFF UP TO High speed printing, no quality compromise A fully circular cartridge returns scheme Predictable monthly costs with Brother MPS When it’s worth printing, print it in colour. *T&Cs apply * PLUS 3 YEAR WARRANTY* AND UP TO £100 CASHBACK* Shop the Brother colour laser range now (YES PLEASE) 28% OFF UP TO High speed printing, no quality compromise A fully circular cartridge returns scheme Predictable monthly costs with Brother MPS When it’s worth printing, print it in colour. *T&Cs apply * PLUS 3 YEAR WARRANTY* AND UP TO £100 CASHBACK* e aser ow SE) FF t’s printing, in colour. *T&Cs apply * S R Y* AND UP TO £100 CASHBACK* (YES PLEASE) 28% OFF UP TO *
04 Events Join the Kingswood Media team in 2026 06 Bulletin Where do you take yours? 08 Bulletin News from the channel 16 People A round-up of new hires 18 I couldn’t do my job without... Kate Falkingham picks her favourite work tools 20 My life in print Mike Anderson shares details of his life in print 22 PrintIT Awards Find out what winning a PrintIT Award means from the 2025 winners 29 One-to-one Lee Manning, CEO, FUTERA 32 Cover Story Long Live Colour: Brother UK rolls out colour laser campaign with up to 28% partner discount 34 Focus on: What’s New A round-up of recent product launches 36 PrintIT Awards A recap of the 2025 event 39 Research Sustainability plans are accelerating 40 VOX POP Print predictions – part two 46 Industry Insight Ian Silvester, General Manager, EKM Insight 48 View from the channel Dean Birks, MPS & Digital Transformation Specialist, OfficeXpress 50 60 seconds with… Maria Filby, Marketing Executive, EKM Global COMMENT Following on from the big reveal of the 2025 PrintIT Award winners last issue, we asked the worthy recipients what being recognised with a PrintIT Award means to them – you can find out what they said on page 22. Also on page 36, you’ll find a recap of the event, it truly was a night to remember! Roll on next year! This month, we feature part two of our annual print predictions feature (page 40), where more of the industry’s leading vendors share their thoughts on what 2026 will hold for the print and IT sectors. Also in this issue, Kate Falkingham, Senior Business Manager – Distribution at Brother UK, picks the work tools she uses every day and couldn’t do her job without (page 18). This month’s Q&A is with Dean Birks, MPS & Digital Transformation Specialist, OfficeXpress, and PITR spent 60 seconds with Maria Filby, Marketing Executive, EKM Global. 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. 2026 ISSUE 136 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 136 ISSN 2055-3110 (Print) ISSN 2055-3129 (Online) PRINTITRESELLER.UK 3 20 25 Royal Lancaster · December 2
01732 759725 4 Places for both events are allocated on a first-come first-served basis so please contact Ethan, Neil or Paul to reserve a spot or ask any questions. You can reach the team at [email protected]. [email protected] or [email protected]. A round of golf If you enjoy playing golf and networking with 40 plus people from a mix of industries, why not get a team together and join the PrintIT Reseller and Technology Reseller Golf Society? The 2025 edition went down a storm and we are delighted to announce the 2026 schedule. The 2026 events calendar is filling up fast and there’s something for everyone! Join the Kingswood Media team in 2026 EVENTS On the piste After the success of last year’s ski trip, we’re doing it all again! The 2026 edition will take place between 2 to 5 March in the legendary Italian resort and party town of Sauze d’Oulx. The Via Lattea ski area is often described as a dream come true for snow lovers offering fantastic Alpine skiing, plus extensive state-of-the-art snow making capability also makes the region a pretty snow-sure bet. And if pitting your skills against the famous Kandahar Olympic Downhill run is not your thing, then Sauze has lots of other activities that don’t require skis including extensive walking routes, dog sled and Skidoo treks to name a few. On top of the skiing, there is of course the après ski, and we have a fabulous itinerary lined up which includes lots of time for everyone to network and socialise. •SKI CLUB NETWORK• Round one: Carden Park, Cheshire Course May 14 Round two: Copt Heath Golf Club, Solihull June 4 Round three: Walmley Golf Club, Sutton Coldfield July 9 Round four: Wyboston Lakes Golf Club, Bedford September 17 Final round: Silvermere Golf Club, Cobham October 15
Get in touch for more information: 01189 734 564 | [email protected] | data-direct.co.uk SimplyRecycle... Convenient & simple WHAT WE DO FOR YOU Easy-to-use online portal to book services All services done on your behalf by our recycling partner Waste Transfer Note & Certificate of Recycling documents provided Recycling boxes delivered direct to your customers All makes and models can be recycled All printer consumables - including drums, fusers, waste toner containers Genuine recycling with reuse & recovery of materials Recycling collections directly from your customers DISTRIBUTOR & MPS FULFILMENT SPECIALIST
01732 759725 6 BULLETIN We’re all about championing print at PrintIT Reseller, so why not join in the ‘Where do you take yours’ challenge? Simply snap a photo of yourself reading the latest issue in the most unexpected spot you can find – whether that’s atop a mountain trail, tucked into a hidden café corner, or even mid–air on your next flight. Send me your pix for a chance to see your face (and your favourite pages) featured in our next edition. Where do you take yours? PrintIT Reseller magazine proved to be a popular read at the Win with Westcoast event which took place on November 5 at Nobu, London. (l-r) James Pittick and Russell Cole FUTERA and Warren Colby, Agilico (l-r) Paul Derry, IBS Business Solutions and Dwayne Cowans, Lexmark, now part of Xerox (l-r) Neil Baker and Mark Jennings, Westcoast Nik Modi, Westcoast
PRINTITRESELLER.UK 7 BULLETIN We had copies of PrintIT Reseller to hand as we prepped filming for the next series of Director’s Cut videos! Andy Muskett, Director Channel Partners, Xerox Greig Millar, CRO, Brother UK Jack Ranson, Director at Certa MPS took his copy of PrintIT Reseller to Benidorm! We want to see where you take your issue and where our magazine travels with YOU! Please send your pix to me at [email protected]
01732 759725 8 BULLETIN Awards nominations Parallel Office and Document Solutions has been nominated for two categories at the Hillingdon Business Awards – Business Services Company of the Year and Green/Environmental Services of the Year. www.parallel-group.co.uk Fujifilm partners with Document Solutions Fujifilm has announced a new partnership with Document Solutions (UK). The partnership comes as Document Solutions (UK) enters an ambitious growth phase. Established over 15 years ago, Document Solutions operates from offices in Newcastle, Teesside and Yorkshire, supporting significantly more than a thousand local organisations with reliable, cost-effective print and document services. With plans to increase its turnover to over £10 million in the next few years, the team is focused on helping more businesses across these regions access smarter, more sustainable print technologies that support day-to-day productivity. David Macartney, Managing Director, Document Solutions (UK) said: “We are pleased to partner with Fujifilm, a brand known for quality and dependability. The Apeos multifunction printers perfectly align with our commitment to providing customers with technology that boosts productivity, security and sustainability. It’s an exciting opportunity to support our continued growth and to bring world-class technology to more organisations across these regions. “Together, Fujifilm and Document Solutions will make it easier for local businesses, from schools and councils to manufacturers and professional services, to benefit from reliable global technology that improves efficiency, reduces waste and enhances security.” Gary Organ, Head of Device Technology (DT), Fujifilm UK added: “The response to our Apeos MFP series since launch has been very positive, and building a strong partner network has been crucial to this success. We are committed to increasing accessibility to our technologies by partnering with experienced, customer-focused organisations who know their local markets and can help us reach more businesses. Document Solutions’ impressive growth trajectory and strong regional presence make them a perfect fit for Fujifilm’s expansion plans in the UK.” www.documentsolutionsltd.co.uk ITDS acquired ITDS Group Holdings (ITDS) and its subsidiaries, IT Document Solutions, ITDS Managed Services, ITDS Mailroom and ITDS Web Services, have been acquired by Tri Haven Group. Prior to Tri Haven’s approach, ITDS had been exploring external investment to accelerate its next phase of growth. The acquisition now provides the springboard for the company to deliver even bigger and better technology solutions to its loyal client base, while expanding far beyond its current reach. Jermaine Weeden will continue in his role as Chief Executive Officer under the new parent company, working in close partnership with Paul Ollerton and the Tri Haven M&A team. ITDS will now move into an accelerated growth trajectory. The focus includes expanding its team, investing in enhanced technology, and executing a well-structured buy-and-build strategy within the UK IT managed services sector. Weeden said: “As an avid sportsman, I have always had a competitive streak and pushed for business growth, passionately believing we could take this brilliant business far. Tri Haven has offered us the opportunity to be the platform for something very special. We look forward to growing the business and delivering greater value to our clients, employees, partners and stakeholders. For us this is a ‘Bigger Better Stronger’ ITDS.” Paul Ollerton, Co-Founder of Tri Haven Group added: “ITDS has built a strong reputation for service, reliability and long-term client relationships. What impressed us most was the consistency of delivery and a culture grounded in hard work and genuine care for customers – exactly the foundations we look for in a sector-leading platform.” www.itdocumentsolutions.com Kodak Alaris and UT³ announce strategic partnership Kodak Alaris and UT³, a Xenith company, have announced a strategic partnership. The alliance will see UT³ leverage scanners from Kodak Alaris alongside KODAK Info Input Solution intelligent document processing (IDP) software, to help organisations uncover hidden value, enhance IT investment opportunities, and unlock tomorrow’s tech, today. The agreement is the latest in a series of signings for the information capture specialist and demonstrates its commitment to strengthening its channel partners’ IDP capabilities and ensuring end customers fully benefit from its advanced technologies. Stuart Cassidy, Head of Business at UT³ said: “Kodak Alaris has a long heritage in information capture. The quality and breadth of its scanner portfolio, coupled with innovation in IDP to deliver a complete end-to-end solution which ties directly into a customer’s AI journey were key drivers for this partnership. Together we will help organisations transition from manual, paper-based processes to streamlined, efficient workflows and benefit from actionable analytics to inform faster decision-making.” Mark Davies, Sales Manager, Kodak Alaris added: “We’re excited to work together with UT³ to deliver efficient and automated workflows that will enable organisations to work smarter and achieve their business goals.” https://ut-3.co.uk, www.kodakalaris.com BULLETIN
KYOCERA Document Solutions (UK) Limited Award winning Kyocera Cloud Print and Scan. Kyocera’s cloud based solution empowers agile workplaces and hybrid workers to print from multiple locations using Print&Follow™ and scan directly to the cloud. As well as reducing obstacles to productivity, Kyocera Cloud Print and Scan helps businesses control their print costs by eliminating the costs and hassle of managing your on-premises print servers while allowing you to assign group print policies to company users, improving their print behaviour and better managing print costs. Learn more online with the QR code or by visiting kyoceradocumentsolutions.co.uk/kcps DISCOVER MORE
01732 759725 10 BULLETIN Northamber acquires Nuvias UC’s hardware business Northamber has acquired Nuvias UC’s hardware business for £7.1m, a move that will accelerate its growth in the fast-evolving AV and UC markets. The acquisition of the £28.8m hardware revenue business delivers greater depth across Microsoft Teams and Zoom-certified video systems, enterprise voice and telephony, specialist UC endpoints, and smart workspace and meeting-room solutions. For partners, this means improved availability, stronger vendor alignment, expanded technical support and comprehensive collaboration solutions all under one roof. Combined with Northamber’s existing AV and UC portfolio, the acquisition creates a unified, scalable platform covering the full spectrum of AV, UC&C and smart office solutions. It builds on Northamber’s acquisition of Tempura Communications in 2024 and Epatra in 2025 to further reinforce its expanding value-added proposition as a leading technical, solutions-led collaborator. Alex Phillips, Chairman of Northamber said: “The addition of the highly specialist team from Nuvias UC to our group significantly broadens our UC and AV capabilities. We are delighted to have this opportunity, which, alongside our existing domestic and international portfolio, will accelerate our growth in one of the fastest‑evolving technology markets.” www.northamber.com Arrow earns AWS Partner Award Arrow has received the Rising Star Distributor Partner of the Year EMEA award that celebrates distributors that are early in their AWS Distributor journey and have demonstrated strong momentum as they help activate the businesses of several AWS Partners. “Being recognised by AWS is a tremendous achievement for Arrow,” said Nick Bannister, president of Arrow’s enterprise computing solutions business in EMEA. “It underscores the impact of our innovative programmes and the strength of our collaboration across EMEA as we continue to accelerate cloud transformation.” The AWS Partner Network (APN) is a global programme focused on helping partners innovate, accelerate their journey to the cloud and take full advantage of the breadth and depth of AWS. www.arrow.com Distribution deal TD SYNNEX has been appointed as a distributor for Samsung Knox, giving partners in the UK the opportunity to offer even more value to customers with Samsung mobile solutions. Samsung Knox enables organisations to configure, customise, deploy, protect and manage mobile devices, improving performance, productivity, security, and efficiency. TD SYNNEX was appointed as a distributor for Samsung mobile devices for B2B markets in July 2024. It has since grown sales significantly and is now one of the leading channel providers of Samsung products in the UK. James Reed, Managing Director, Endpoint Solutions, UK and Ireland, TD SYNNEX said: “With Knox, partners can extend the value they offer on Samsung mobile devices with automated device deployment and management along with enterprise-grade protection. It’s an excellent suite of solutions with a tremendous reputation and an outstanding opportunity, both for us and our partners.” https://uk.tdsynnex.com DCC Technology rebrands DCC Technology has announced a rebrand to Nexora. The rebrand brings together 27 specialist businesses and 2,500 people under one shared vision to deliver progressive technology that enriches lives. With the completed sale of Exertis’ UK IT businesses and the exits from lower-margin IT activities in France, Spain and the Netherlands, the Exertis name is being retired by the businesses in the Nexora family. This strategic move enables Nexora to focus entirely on its core strength; building strong specialist businesses in markets where it can deliver meaningful added value. Nexora includes Comm-Tec across DACH, Italy and Iberia, Azenn and Connect in France, Hammer in Europe, Captech in the Nordic region and Almo and JAM in North America. “This is an exciting milestone for our business,” said Clive Fitzharris Chief Executive Officer of Nexora. “Nexora reflects who we are today and where we are going, a community of specialist businesses built on deep expertise and strong partnerships. It is an identity and direction which captures our energy, our ambition and our belief in the power of technology to enrich lives. I am proud of the inclusive process that brought us here and grateful to our teams who helped shape this next chapter.” www.nexora.com/ Nick Bannister Alex Phillips James Reed Data Direct brings Braille printing to the UK As an official UK partner for Mutoh, Data Direct is promoting one of the most impressive capabilities its LED-UV technology brings to the market - direct Braille and tactile printing. With accessibility requirements ramping up across public spaces, traditional Braille production has meant slow, manual, and expensive methods like embossing or adhesive dot application. Mutoh’s approach is different. Using precise multi-layer UV-LED printing, Mutoh devices build perfectly formed raised dots and tactile structures directly onto the substrate. Each ink layer is applied and cured automatically until the defined height is reached - typically 0.3–0.6 mm for Braille and up to 1.0 mm for tactile graphics. Partners can see the device in action at Data Direct’s Bradford showroom. www.data-direct.co.uk
01732 759725 12 IoT, edge and print security Steve Inch, Global Senior Print Security Strategist at HP Inc predicts that in 2026, organisations will finally take notice of IoT, edge and print security, after a string of attacks. He said: “After a year of high-profile attacks against connected devices, organisations will finally prioritise security for devices at the network edge. For example, security vulnerabilities allowed for remote takeovers of printers, highlighting the risks of leaving printers unprotected. “For too long, printers have been the lowest priority on every security team’s list. Many organisations lack basic visibility and control over print infrastructure. This creates security blind spots – from exploitation attempts to insider threats, outdated firmware, malicious updates and misconfigurations, such as open ports or unchanged default credentials. “These security gaps give threat actors a potential launchpad to not only compromise a printer and the data it holds but also other devices on the network. In the year ahead, organisations and governments will demand that endpoint devices like printers come with continuous and active system monitoring throughout their lifecycle. “To defend the Future of Work, organisations need to secure their complete device ecosystem, including their printers. They should prioritise the ability to automate print fleet security compliance and automatically assess fleet firmware vulnerability status, minimising IT overhead in 2026.” www.hp.com BULLETIN Konica Minolta employees walk 30 miles Konica Minolta has continued its support for Cancer Research UK through a company-wide initiative encouraging employees to take part in the ‘Walk 30 Miles in November’ challenge. In November, Konica Minolta team members across the UK committed to walking 30 miles – one mile a day – to raise vital funds for life‑saving cancer research. “We’re incredibly proud to support Cancer Research UK in their mission to beat cancer,” said Gillian Nuttall, ESG Partner at Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd. “This initiative reflects our commitment to well-being and gives our employees a meaningful way to make a difference – literally one step at a time!” Since launching its partnership with Cancer Research UK in May 2025, the Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) team has so far raised £2,885 of its year’s target of £10,000. www.konicaminolta.co.uk Canon and Mimeo expand decade-long partnership Global print and technology company, Mimeo has strengthened its production capabilities with an investment in Canon’s varioPRINT iX3200 digital inkjet press, building on a longstanding partnership that spans operations in the UK, Germany, and the US. The installation marks the latest phase of Mimeo’s drive to modernise its print fleet and enhance efficiency, quality, and versatility across its high-volume business units. The company now operates five Canon iX-series presses globally, following extensive testing and evaluation of competitive technologies. The installation of the iX3200 at Mimeo UK continues a relationship with Canon that has evolved over more than a decade. Cameron Dunlop, Senior Operations Manager, Mimeo UK said: “The project was completed seamlessly, thanks to the professionalism and expertise of the Canon team. From planning to implementation, the process was well managed, with clear communication and strong technical support throughout. The iX3200 is already delivering excellent quality and productivity improvements, and we’re excited about the new opportunities it brings to our print operations.” www.mimeo.com Steve Inch Zyxel Networks partners with Avast Zyxel Networks has announced a strategic partnership with Avast. The integration of Avast’s Business Security Solution with Zyxel Networks’ USG FLEX H series firewalls brings unified visibility and protection across networks and endpoints, simplifying cybersecurity for SMBs and MSPs. To meet the diverse range of deployment needs, Zyxel Networks is committed to building an open ecosystem that offers flexible endpoint options. In addition to Avast Business Security, which protects Windows/ MAC PCs and Windows servers, Zyxel Networks’ Astra service extends endpoint protection to remote and roaming users in hybrid work environments. The company plans to broaden its integrations to give SMBs maximum flexibility. “SMBs need a more integrated approach to cybersecurity,” said Ken Tsai, President of Zyxel Networks. “By combining our advanced firewall protection with Avast’s trusted endpoint security, we’re helping smaller businesses gain unified visibility and synchronised defences. This will allow them to protect their people, data and devices more efficiently and affordably.” www.zyxel.com Ken Tsai
PRINTITRESELLER.UK 13 Intelligent recycled materials Konica Minolta has expanded its partnership with MJ MATERIAL to establish a business combining the expertise and technologies of both companies to produce intelligent recycled materials that are designed to ensure high delivery, reliability, and consistent quality. These recycled plastic materials are characterised by superior supply reliability and quality consistency combining Konica Minolta’s proprietary sensing and AI technologies and MJ MATERIAL’s end-to-end process from collection to production. Konica Minolta and MJ MATERIAL have been working on verification in the market with the aim of achieving commercialisation in the fiscal year 2026. MJ MATERIAL will manufacture intelligent recycled materials and sell them to its customers in Asia, who are end-product manufacturers, for electronic devices and home appliances. Konica Minolta will receive fees for technology licensing depending on MJ MATERIAL’s revenue from its customers. The deployment of intelligent recycled materials will contribute to driving the business growth of the two companies and realising a highly sustainable society. Konica Minolta started the manufacture of recycled plastic materials for its MFPs in the fiscal year 2012. Today, up to 37% PCR content is used in its multifunction systems and production systems. The company is considering using the new intelligent recycled plastics in its future models. www.konicaminolta.co.uk BULLETIN Recycling programme WBM has partnered with Konica Minolta to launch an enhanced ‘World on Loan’ consumables recycling programme. The updated service offers a streamlined, zerolandfill solution for recycling genuine Konica Minolta printer consumables. Designed to support sustainability goals across organisations of all sizes, the programme enables customers and partners to manage orders, request collections, and access recycling documentation via a bespoke online portal. Whether opting for box or pallet collections, users benefit from flexible options tailored to their operational needs. Transparency is also enhanced, with waste transfer notes and recycling certificates available for download within 10 working days, supporting ISO 14001 and EMAS compliance. Every collected item is processed using environmentally conscious methods that prioritise recycling and minimise ecological impact. No waste is sent to landfill, and materials are repurposed into high-quality polymers and other reusable resources. Ben Mills, Environment Manager at Konica Minolta said: “We believe sustainability should be simple, secure, and accessible. This enhanced programme, supported by our partnership with WBM, reflects our ongoing commitment to reducing environmental impact while improving the customer experience.” www.wbmlimited.co.uk www.konicaminolta.co.uk Ben Mills Tungsten Automation celebrates 40th anniversary Tungsten Automation is celebrating 40 years of innovation, transformation and trusted partnership. Four decades ago, the company committed to helping businesses turn documents into data and data into well-informed decisions. What began with pioneering document capture and OCR technologies has evolved into a leading global AI platform powering the mission-critical workflows of over 25,000 organisations worldwide. “As we celebrate 40 years of innovation, we’re reminded that our legacy is not just history - it’s the foundation that drives us forward and allows us to connect with customers,” said Peter Hantman, CEO of Tungsten Automation. “We’ve always paired trusted expertise with bold curiosity. Coupled with the commitment to apply the right AI for the right reasons, we have been able to successfully deliver solutions that matter, powered by trust, agility, and innovation. That’s what has guided us for four decades, and it’s what will continue to shape the future of Tungsten.” The company’s flagship Tungsten Automation Platform (TAP) brings together IDP, workflow orchestration, and decisioning AI to help organisations eliminate friction, reduce risk and accelerate results in industries where greater accuracy and speed are needed. www.tungstenautomation.com A circular IT shift Ahead of the EU’s planned Circular Economy Act, Lenovo is helping organisations align refresh strategies with circular economy principles with the launch of a new addition to its IT sustainability and lifecycle solutions portfolio. Available in EMEA, Lenovo Certified Refurbishment Services gives organisations the ability to refurbish their existing Lenovo devices, restoring useful life and enabling redeployment to deliver cost savings, maximise IT budgets and reduce e-waste. Certified Refurbishment Services offers a powerful IT lifecycle management option, bridging the gap between extending warranties and full hardware replacement. By restoring devices for internal reuse, businesses can unlock untapped value from their existing tech and avoid premature retirements. In addition, the solution supports the meeting of targets including the EU Green Deal – which aims to cut emissions by at least 50% by 2030 – and the requirements of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, mandating ESG disclosures by businesses. “European organisations are looking for practical ways to meet sustainability targets without slowing innovation or increasing costs,” said Greg Smith, Executive Director and General Manager, EMEA Solutions and Services Group at Lenovo. “As EU mandates require organisations to rethink their technology strategies, Certified Refurbishment Services help reduce IT carbon footprint, optimise resources, and meet sustainable procurement goals while building long-term value and resilience along the way.” www.lenovo.com
35 Years +
01732 759725 16 BULLETIN : PEOPLE Chris Bates takes on new position at TD SYNNEX TD SYNNEX UK and Ireland has announced the appointment of Chris Bates as Print, Supplies and Services Director – Endpoint Solutions. In addition to his existing duties as Head of Print and Supplies Team he now takes on responsibility for the growth and development of endpoint-related services, which include configuration and installation, IT lifecycle services, and the extensive financial services options available via TD SYNNEX Capital. James Reed, Vice President – Endpoint Solutions, UK and Ireland, TD SYNNEX, said: “We have a serious commitment to driving our endpoint services value for partners and supporting them in expanding their opportunities. With his long experience of working with our partners, Chris has all the qualities to take our services business to the next stage of its evolution and development.” Bates added: “I’m thrilled to be taking on this additional challenge of driving the development and growth of our endpoint solutions services business. With our partner first focus and best-in-class resources, TD SYNNEX can deliver the personalised support, efficiency, and automation that will enable partners to be competitive and win more services business. I am looking forward to hearing from partners on how we can support them and build out our services proposition to best serve their needs.” Bates takes on this additional responsibility having spent the last six years as Director – Print and Supplies, UK and Ireland at TD SYNNEX. Prior to that he was business manager for Dell client solutions in the UK and Ireland for close to five years, and before that held various business development and category management roles. He has been with TD SYNNEX for a total of 21 years. https://uk.tdsynnex.com Promotion for Kevin Tetu Valsoft has promoted Kevin Tetu to President of Managed Print Division, where he will oversee the unified North American operations of MPS Monitor and Nexera. Tetu previously served as Senior Vice President of Sales & Partner Alliances for MPS Monitor. In this expanded role, Tetu will lead the combined commercial strategy, revenue organisation, partner ecosystem development, and go-to-market execution across both platforms, helping dealers reduce costto-serve, stabilise service operations, convert competitive fleets, and drive higher recurring revenue. “Kevin has demonstrated exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and deep industry knowledge since joining MPS Monitor,” said Aidin Mohsenin, Portfolio Manager at Valsoft. “His credibility in the dealer channel, paired with his ability to align teams and accelerate execution, makes him the ideal leader to unify MPS Monitor and Nexera in North America. Valsoft is committed to investing in this industry, and Kevin’s appointment reflects our belief in the long-term value and potential of these platforms.” Tetu has more than 20 years of experience in device management, SaaS transformation, and dealer optimisation. Before joining MPS Monitor, he founded FMAudit and later served as Global VP of Strategic Opportunities & Partner Alliances at ECI Software Solutions. “I’m honoured to take on this expanded role during such a pivotal period for our industry,” he said. “Dealers are demanding modernisation, intelligence, and automation, not more complexity. By unifying MPS Monitor and Nexera under a single vision and shared commercial strategy, we’re delivering the integrated data, workflow orchestration, and operational excellence that dealers need to strengthen profitability and succeed in the decade ahead.” The appointment underscores Valsoft’s commitment to building the industry’s most modern and dealer-first ecosystem. www.valsoftcorp.com Toni Gibiino joins FUTERA FUTERA has appointed Toni Gibiino as its new Marketing Director, bringing a wealth of experience in brand strategy, digital engagement, and creative campaign leadership. Gibiino has previously led high-performing marketing teams and delivered impactful campaigns that strengthened brand presence and customer connection across the IT services sector. Rob Webb has been appointed Brand and Creative Director charged with leading all areas of brand, creative and content - including identity, campaigns, digital, social, video, photography, and everything customer-facing for the channel services provider. www.futera.co.uk New role for Harriet Griffiths Harriet Griffiths is starting a new role as Logistics and Projects Co-Ordinator at Vision. www.visionplc.co.uk Chris Bates Two new recruits at Brother UK Brother UK has welcomed two new recruits. Evie O’Brien and George Flowers have joined the company as Business Administration Apprentices, bringing fresh energy and ambition to the teams. O’Brien will be supporting the finance team, while Flowers will be working within the organisational development & HR team. www.brother.co.uk Evie O’Brien and George Flowers Kevin Tetu Toni Gibiino Rob Webb
Tired of Paying More... for Less? You shouldn’t have to. Exceptional software, dedicated service, at a fair price. Get maximum value and efficiency with Copy Control, the service management and billing solution which helps you: • Automate meter reading collection and invoice generation • Manage service calls and track engineer efficiency • Control stock levels and accurately calculate machine profitability • Save days of admin time, increase cash flow and make more money T: 02475 120516 E: [email protected] Contact us to find out how you can get more for less! CC_HALF-A4_AD.indd 1 02/10/2025 15:26 One Team. One Goal. Two Awards. www.wbmlimited.co.uk Call: 0161 338 5208 Winning both awards is a true recognition of the work our team puts in every day to the unique recycling services we provide to the channel, OEMs and partners. As we go from strength to strength, our success story continues to highlight our positive and sustainable achievements, which we share with our valued customers. Every part of the business is driven by people who care deeply about delivering reliable services, supporting partners, and reducing waste. wbm These two awards confirm that WBM are leading the way. WBM Ltd are proud to have won two prestigious awards at the 2025 Print IT Awards: “Channel Services Provider” and “Circular Business / Initiative”.
01732 759725 18 Without the support of everybody in the office, it would be very difficult to do my job. My customers I’m very lucky to work with some great people, those customer relationships are invaluable and without them obviously, I couldn’t do my job. Spotify I travel a lot with my job; I am partial to a bit of Amanda Holden and Jamie Theakston who present the Heart breakfast show and I also love listening to music when I’m in the car. I will listen to a whole eclectic range and on a long journey, it’s nice to have bit of a sing song. Lunchtime walks with my dog When I’m working at home, I really enjoy my lunchtime walks with the dog in the forest. It’s like a bit of a reset and I do a lot of planning in my head when I’m out on these walks. That time really gets the creative juices flowing, helps me think about things and get the clarity I need after a stressful day for example. I always feel so much better after a walk. the whole reason why I go to work and I’m lucky that my parents are quite local to us. They have my daughter two days a week, and they’re always willing to step in if I’m working away. I actually physically couldn’t do my job without my family’s support. Excel As sad as it is, I’m a spreadsheet girl, I love a spreadsheet and I love a to do list. Both are really crucial things for me. If I can have a spreadsheet for something, I will have it because it just helps me keep everything organised. Even when I’m doing my diary for each quarter, I print out a calendar from Excel and populate it before I put it in my diary. The team in the office All of my colleagues in the office are absolutely invaluable from logistics, the commercial team, sales order processing to marketing, and more. I’m probably one of the most kinetic people in the business because of the type of job I do. I deal with everybody and I speak to all the different teams. My family My number one thing is my family. My partner is extremely supportive, he used to work in the industry, so he gets it, and he probably does more nursery runs and pickups and stuff like that than the average dad. My daughter is Kate Falkingham, Senior Business Manager – Distribution at Brother UK, picks the tools she uses every day and couldn’t do her job without WORKPLACE I couldn’t do my job without… Kate Falkingham
Make ours a Double! We’re celebrating! At Commerce Business Systems (CBS) we are all delighted to have won awards in 2 major categories at this year’s prestigious Print IT Awards. One of the categories, “Outstanding Team Member of the Year” was won by our Operations & HR Manager, Caroline Green. The judges chose Caroline as the winner of the award because “Caroline has driven change within the business and has earned deep respect from customers and colleagues alike. Her hands-on approach, strategic thinking and commitment to charity and community activities, make her an outstanding and inspiring winner. ” The other category we won is the Print IT award for “Best Employee Experience” which the panel of judges said demonstrated “that well-being is central to CBS’ people-first approach and that the company culture prioritises ensuring its people are heard and recognised, and the fact that 35% of staff have been with them for more than a decade. “ “At CBS, we don’t just work as a team, we are a close-knit family, and we spend a lot of time together. These awards are dedicated to the CBS family. They are the reason we are still growing, after 23 years, and why our customers continue to work with us.” John Green Managing Director Commerce Business Systems Commerce Business Systems Ltd Unit 5 Thornbury Business Park, Woodhall Road, Bradford, BD3 7AF Tel: 01274 496220 Web: www.commercebusinesssystems.co.uk
01732 759725 20 MA: It’s hard to ignore the impact of COVID. It made the market more challenging, which meant sales, marketing, and commercial teams had to align more closely to seize opportunities. It also transformed working patterns overnight, from full remote working to today’s widely accepted hybrid model. While that brings benefits, it also creates challenges around maintaining a strong culture and ensuring employees feel connected and valued. PITR: What has been your proudest moment of the past 10 years? MA: Winning Marketing Team of the Year at the PrintIT Awards, B2B Marketing Awards, and CRN Awards has been a real highlight. I love the buzz of team recognition; it’s a great confidence boost that we’re doing the right things and making a positive difference for our partners. www.brother.co.uk UK marketing team to deliver the best possible support to our channel partners. As a channel-centric business, we’ve positioned ourselves more like a partner-focused marketing agency than a traditional in-house team. That approach is exciting because it gives the team the best of both worlds – agency-style creativity combined with client-side strategic depth. PITR: And what are the biggest frustrations or challenges? MA: Right now, the biggest challenge is keeping pace with developments in AI. Understanding its potential impact on our industry, identifying tools that improve efficiency without compromising jobs or creativity, it’s a lot to navigate. It feels like there’s a new breakthrough every week, and staying on top of it is tough. PITR: What (or who) do you think has had the greatest impact in the sector in recent years? PrintIT Reseller (PITR): What was your first job in print? Mike Anderson (MA): My first significant role in print was a placement year in the marketing team at HP back in 2003. They took in around 50 students that year, and it was a fantastic experience. I gained hands-on marketing knowledge, met new people, and, of course, enjoyed the thrill of receiving a real payslip for the first time. Giving a student £1,000 a month should probably come with a health warning! PITR: What led you to enter the sector? Did you choose print by design, or accident? MA: I spent about five years agencyside before deciding I wanted to move client-side. The main driver was the opportunity to get involved in long-term strategic planning and see projects through from start to finish. As it happened, Brother was hiring for a Channel Marketing position, so I went for a chat – and that was 16 years ago. PITR: What excites you most about working in print today? MA: It’s a competitive market, which brings challenges, but also pushes us to think creatively about how we differentiate ourselves. Over the past five years, I’ve focused on reshaping the Brother Mike Anderson, Chief Marketing Officer, Brother UK, shares details of his life in print, what he’s learned, and the highs and the lows of our unique and challenging industry My life in print Q&A Mike Anderson
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PRINTIT AWARDS 22 01732 759725 Award wins have enormous value and can help businesses stand out from the competition. Even making the shortlist brings tonnes of kudos. Find out what winning a PrintIT Award means from the 2025 winners PrintIT Awards 2025 SPECIAL AWARDS Judges’ Special Award Sponsored by Brother Winner: Lynne Brown and the Lexmark channel team Judges’ verdict: The wealth of positive feedback from across the channel praising the team’s dedication, responsiveness, and genuine focus on building strong, long term relationships has been outstanding. Their consistent support and collaborative approach have clearly made a real difference to partners’ success, and this award is a well deserved reflection of the high regard in which they are held throughout the industry. “We’re truly delighted to be awarded the Judges’ Special Award for the UK channel team. We have always prided ourselves on building relationships with our partners, working as an extension of their teams and believing our USP is the individuals that make up the team. To have this recognised, in front of all our peers, was a very special moment and one we will not forget quickly. Thank you.” Lynne Brown, UK & I Channel Sales Manager, Lexmark Industry Leader of The Year Sponsored by Selectec Winner: Winner: Matt Hill, VP Sales EMEA, Tungsten Automation Judges’ verdict: Matt has consistently demonstrated the qualities that define true leadership in our industry. He is widely respected and his influence extends well beyond his own organisation, helping to shape the future of the wider print and IT channel. Over the past few years, he has steered Tungsten Automation through a period of remarkable growth and transformation, elevating its position in the market. “Winning the Industry Leader of the Year Award is a tremendous honour. It reflects not just my efforts but the dedication, passion, and creativity of the entire team around me. This recognition motivates me to continue pushing boundaries, supporting our industry’s evolution, and championing innovation that truly makes a difference.” Matt Hill, VP Sales EMEA, Tungsten Automation CORPORATE AWARDS Channel Services Provider of the Year Sponsored by ISL Winner: WBM Judges’ verdict: Winning this award for the second year in a row is testament to its ongoing innovation, commitment and leadership, in such a highly competitive category. WBM’s entry addressed all of the criteria with clarity and clearly demonstrated its genuine passion for driving sustainability in the MPS market. “Winning this award for the second year running, is a huge achievement for everyone at WBM. It shows that our consistency, reliability and the service we give to the channel are being recognised and valued. The team in Oldham work incredibly hard to support dealers, OEMs and our aftermarket partners, and this award is down to their efforts. It’s given us even more motivation to keep improving and delivering what the industry needs.” James O’Connor, Sales Director, WBM 20 25 Royal Lancaster · December 2 HEADLINE SPONSOR GOLD SPONSORS
PRINTIT AWARDS 23 PRINTITRESELLER.UK continued... Circular Business/Initiative of the Year Sponsored by PEAC Solutions Winner: WBM Judges’ verdict: Over the past year, WBM grew recycling service sales by more than 71% and launched multiple new partner branded recycling portals. It also expanded its services to support remanufacturers with bespoke reuse solutions and secured a £20,000 grant to digitalise operations, further improving efficiency and waste reduction. “We’re really proud to win this award, especially as it’s the first year this category has been introduced. Everything we do is built around reducing waste, supporting the industry, and giving customers a service they can rely on, so this award is a real acknowledgement of the work our team puts in every day to keep our recycling operation running at such a high standard. This award tells us we’re heading in the right direction, and it means so much to the whole team.” James O’Connor, Sales Director, WBM EOS Distributor of the Year Sponsored by HP Winner: Data Direct Judges’ verdict: Data Direct holds over £2 million of EOS stock across OEM and compatible products and consistently achieves an incredible 99% next day delivery success rate. With dedicated account managers, live stock feeds, automated ordering and marketing support, it helps resellers operate more efficiently and win more business. But what really sets Data Direct apart is its commitment to building true partnerships, stepping in with support when it really matters. “We are delighted to have won the EOS Distributor of the Year for the fifth year running – it really helps us to recognise that we are doing the right things for our dealers! We constantly aim to innovate, bring new services to our dealers, giving them motivation and direction to mitigate against reducing print volumes. Receiving such a prestigious award really gives us a real boost, and another chance to engage with our whole team and customers with fabulous, positive news!” Peter Cowan, COO, Data Direct EOS Manufacturer of the Year Sponsored by PrintIT Reseller Winner: Altkin Judges’ verdict: Altkin covers over 95% of the print market across 16 major OEM brands, supporting every print technology from inkjet to wide-format. With three R&D centres, rigorous testing, premium materials and ISO certifications, it delivers OEM equivalent quality with outstanding reliability, evidenced by a return rate of just 0.58%. “We were delighted to win a PrintIT Award, a recognition that highlights our continuous innovation, commitment to excellence, and industry-leading solutions. This achievement has been made possible by supporting our channel partners with our expertise and sustainable products, enabling them to increase margins while delivering meaningful environmental benefits to their customers.” David Hamblen, General Manager, Altkin UK&I Hardware Distributor of the Year Sponsored by Lexmark Winner: Westcoast Judges’ verdict: What set Westcoast apart is the unrivalled depth of services wrapped around its hardware supply. From being the UK’s only distributor with in-house print engineers, to multi‑vendor PDIs, white label final mile delivery, and full MPS contract capabilities, Westcoast provides a true end to end service. Its comprehensive lifecycle support empowers partners to win bigger, more complex contracts with total confidence, making them a standout winner in this category. “We’re over the moon to be named Hardware Distributor of the Year at the PrintIT Awards! A huge thank you to our amazing customers and vendors, we couldn’t have done it without you. We’re so proud of the team at Westcoast and excited to keep building on this success together.” Henry Beech, Sales Director - Print & Supplies UK & EU, Westcoast MTL Print Vendor of the Year Sponsored by Keypoint Intelligence Winner: TSC Auto ID Judges’ verdict: Judges recognised TSC Auto ID’s broad product offering, from mobile and industrial printers to RFID, linerless and enterprise mobility solutions. The entry showcased the company’s evolution from a hardware supplier to full-solution partner, strong focus on partner enablement, and sustainability initiatives like Trees for Tomorrow, designed to drive impact across the channel and align with evolving customer values. “We’re incredibly proud to be named MTL Print Vendor of the Year. This award recognises our team’s dedication to innovation, reliability, and supporting customers across retail, manufacturing, transport, and logistics. It reflects the strong partnerships that drive our success. Thank you to the judges and the PrintIT Awards team for this honour.” Bob Vines, Team Leader Territory Manager for the UK, Ireland and the Nordics, TSC Auto ID CORPORATE AWARDS – VOTING CATEGORIES A3 MFP Vendor of the Year Sponsored by Data Direct Winner: Canon “We’re honoured to receive this recognition. It reflects our commitment to delivering innovative, reliable solutions that empower businesses to work smarter and more sustainably. This award is a dedication of our team and the trust our customers place in Canon. Again, thanks to our impressive A3 MFP lineup.” Khalid Aziz, Marketing Director, Digital Printing & Solutions, Canon
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