In a move which boosts its service capacity and coverage in Gauteng, the First Technology group has acquired one of SA`s longest-established consumables suppliers, Datamark, for an undisclosed amount.
Datamark has grown from supplying end-users with ribbons for the first dot matrix printers 25 years ago, to being a major force in the printer consumables market, particularly within the banking sector. The company, which is based on the East Rand and has a branch in Cape Town, also assembles printer cartridges and remanufactures laser cartridges.
Rob Matthews, First Technology group MD, says the deal, effective 1 November 2000, expands First Technology`s product range, enabling the group to offer customers a wider choice than before.
"In addition, there was enormous interest in remanufacturing at the recent CeBIT exhibition in Germany. Datamark`s experience in this field gives First Technology an entr'e into this growing market which is worth around 25% of the original equipment (OEM) market. This figure is expected to grow further as the environmentalists push for recycling continues to gain momentum.
Datamark founder, Alec Alexandrou, remains MD of Datamark Supplies which will continue to trade under the Datamark name within the First Technology Commodities fold.
"The deal offers tremendous potential to both Datamark and its employees. First Technology provides Datamark with the national footprint and infrastructure required to meet our customers` needs for a `total solution`.
"As part of the First Technology group, we will also be better equipped to join the move toward e-commerce," Alexandrou concludes.
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