Xerox SA today announced the conclusion of its purchase by Bytes Technology Group (BTG) from Xerox Corporation, which makes it a wholly owned subsidiary and division of BTG. As a result, the company has re-branded and will now operate as Bytes Document Solutions (BDS).
BDS remains the exclusive distributor of Xerox products in SA and neighbouring southern African countries, under the terms of a 10-year agreement.
Asked whether BDS would take on other brands, MD Rob Abraham dispels this, saying the exclusivity goes for both supplier and distributor.
"Our new name holds true to our heritage as [a] provider of document solutions, while embracing our future as a subsidiary of Bytes Technology Group," he adds.
"While we originally planned to trade as Xeratech, staff feedback led us to reconsider and select a name that looked to [our] future business," he explains. "Our SA customers will continue to have access to the latest Xerox products and will experience the same levels of service of the past 39 years."
The former Xerox SA traded as Xeratech under the Altron banner for 10 years between 1987 and 1997.
New products
BDS reiterated its commitment to Xerox Corporations` May announcement of a new and expanded office printing systems range for developing market territories. Part of the push has been to help Xerox`s none to easy transition from copier to printer brand, and to demonstrate that it can be a "smart alternative" to market incumbents.
Abraham says BDS strongly supports this strategy and has recently launched the new Xerox range of laser printers, production printing systems, document management software and services.
Julie Limoli, president of Xerox Middle East, India, Eurasia, Russia and Africa, underlines SA`s importance as a market for Xerox Corporation. "The changes we have made show the benefits of working with a strong local partner, something that will not change in the years to come."
The BDS sales channel remains unchanged, combining direct and indirect routes to market through a nationwide network of dealers and concessionaires. While Bytes Document Solutions will retain the Xerox brand wherever it refers to its products, the new Bytes Document Solutions logo will replace the Xerox SA logo.
"We have enjoyed many years of success in SA and have achieved market leadership positions in many of the market segments we compete in. This is a position we will work towards improving in the years to come," concludes Abraham.
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