Itec, one of South Africa's largest office automation groups, has acquired a majority stake in Canon West Rand in line with its strategy to grow its market reach and economies of scale. The new Itec dealer will trade as Itec Maximize and is to be merged with Itec Connect to create a powerhouse in the West Rand's document output market.
The combined Itec Maximize business has around 2 000 clients representing a spread of small, mid-sized and large businesses on the West Rand of Gauteng. Customers will benefit from Itec's national service infrastructure, world-class technology and processes, and group buying power.
Says Gavin Meyer, managing director at Itec Connect: "This transaction will certainly increase Itec's market share in the West Rand region. We are confident that the deal will add enormous value for existing Itec customers, customers of the former Canon West Rand, and for the Itec Group as a whole.
"We are pleased to welcome Garth Upton - owner of Itec Maximize - and his team on board. They bring years of valuable experience to the business, as well as excellent relationships with a great pool of customers. The Itec Group looks forward to supporting them as they grow Itec Connect in the years to come."
Adds Garth Upton: "I am excited to join the Itec group because it has a vision that aligns so closely with mine. As part of Itec, we benefit from the support of a powerful organisation with the scale of a big business. At the same time, Itec has a flexible and entrepreneurial culture that is a perfect fit for the way that we do business."
Upton adds that his business will gain massive benefit from Itec's back-office shared services model, deep pool of technical skills, world-class product range, and its extensive set of valued-added tools and solutions. "We are now able to offer best-of-breed, multi-brand document output solutions to our clients, as well as sell complementary solutions such as CTTV, alternative power, and telecoms services," he says.
With the South African office automation market maturing, many dealers are looking to partner with larger organisations such as Itec to ensure their profitability and growth into the future, says Ryan Miles, chief operating officer at Itec. Itec has developed a model where its dealers benefit from the heavyweight backing of a leader in the office automation market, while still retaining their flexibility and independence, he adds.
"In a market where competition and economic conditions are tough, we are investing in our dealers and partners to build economies of scale and efficiencies," he says. "Our model blends the high volumes, efficient back-office infrastructure, stability and national reach of a big company with the flexibility and personalised service customers look for from a regional dealer."
Meyer concludes: "The Itec philosophy of providing solutions rather than dropping boxes is resonating with dealers and customers. We look forward to working closely with Garth and his team to provide customers with a complete solution that addresses their complex business needs."
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