NEWS
Westcoast and KOMSA agree partnership
alliance for privately owned global ICT brands, with a workforce of more than 2,200 employees, a combined turnover of more than EUR5.5 billion and brings together more than 400 technology partners with 30,000 retail partners and some 75,000 points of sale. “In combination with the logistical strength of both companies, the joint technology expertise to link IT and TC and the expertise around repair and refurbishment, we help industry, trade and business to participate in technological progress,” said Joe Hemani, chairman and founder of Westcoast. “KOMSA also contributes extensive knowledge in the area of unified communications into our partnership, and also its specific know- how in setting up agile structures is of strategic importance for Westcoast. “The fact that we are thus participating in KOMSA beyond the partnership is a strong signal and confirms our continued commitment and trust in the ICT industry. We will bring our know-how from the highly competitive IT market to the world of telecommunications, which will improve the customer experience and range of available services. With access to the German growth market, where we have not been significantly active to date, we are also strategically expanding our market position.” The merger is still subject to the approval by the competent authorities. The first closing is expected for January 2023. Within the process, KOMSA’s founders and owners will settle the company succession: Westcoast will take over their shares step by step by 2025 at the latest.
Westcoast (Holdings) Ltd and KOMSA plan to establish a close strategic partnership to form the largest private sales, marketing and service partner for global brands in the technology industry in Europe. The companies say that retail as well as technology partners will benefit from the strategic partnership of the two leaders in their respective markets. “The main driver is the convergence of the IT and telecommunications infrastructure, which opens up completely new applications and productivity gains for the companies,” said Pierre- Pascal Urbon, CEO and CFO of KOMSA. A current example is the integration of cloud- based collaboration software such as Microsoft Teams into the infrastructures already existing at the company level. “In order to realise the productivity gains, you need the right equipment, services as well as professional advice,” said Pierre-Pascal. “By merging with Westcoast, we are able to enrich our sector expertise in telecommunications with IT. This is of high strategic value to us, as it allows us to offer our customers a unique range of services and pass onto them the efficiencies generated by the merger. “In addition, the merger gives KOMSA access to markets in the UK, Ireland and France, where it has not been significantly active to date. The company will use the regional expansion to strengthen its business relationship with technology partners and to market the lease and operation of smartphones (device-as-a-service) on an international scale.” The partnership will create the largest European
komsa.com/en/
westcoast.co.uk
Demand for MPS continues to grow, say Brother
benefitting from a three-month notice period. An increase in MPS page volumes is also matched by an uptick in devices currently used as part of MPS contracts, up 25% in the quarter compared to this time last year. This has helped Brother to retain its position as the number one provider of single and multifunction colour laser printers, after securing the top spot in early 2022. “The continued increase in demand for print via MPS, highlights its growth in popularity as firms focus on driving productivity and cost-efficiency,” said Greig Millar, general manager for sales, services and solutions at Brother UK. “This also points to an opportunity for print partners, with customers looking to adapt print infrastructure as their hybrid working arrangements evolve. MPS contracts also benefit resellers as much as the businesses they support, as securing
Brother UK has posted a successive record- breaking quarter for its managed print services (MPS) division, signalling the growing popularity among businesses for contract printing. The number of pages printed via Brother’s MPS contracts over the past three months grew by 13%, surpassing the previous record levels achieved in April. The business attributes the rise in page volumes to significant demand from the grocery and healthcare sectors, with channel partners providing support for GP surgeries and pharmacies in particular. Growth in demand for MPS follows the launch earlier this year of PrintSmart Essential, a print subscription service for SMEs. The solution allows firms to pay a small monthly fee for their ink and toner supplies, device installation, supplies recycling and maintenance services, while
Greig Millar general manager for sales, services and solutions Brother UK
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