Minolta-QMS will consolidate its regional presence throughout Australia by signing an agreement with Office National to supply its complete range of colour printing products, including printers and consumables.
Office National is the largest independent retailer of office, business products and computers with over 130 locations throughout Australia. Its strength in non-metropolitan regions of Australia was of great interest to QMS-Minolta.
The new partnership will involve around 70 Minolta-QMS resellers, according to Greg Newham, managing director of Minolta-QMS.
"It gives Minolta-QMS tremendous extra reach throughout the country, because Office National is very strong in the regional area," Newham said.
The partnership will increase the company's reseller base to more than 300 authorised resellers throughout Australia.
"Office National has an extremely strong alliance with regional resellers, which is a very difficult market to get into, so this gives us an automatic foothold," Newham said. "The partnership is part of our incremental business growth in the capitals, but it will give us a very good showing outside of capital cities."Newham said the deal was very exciting because resellers would provide premium support on its products.
Office National, which consolidated its three buying divisions late last year, will stock Minolta-QMS's range of colour printers and consumables.
"Most of Office National's stationery outlets are located in the cities and we have been looking for a partner that can give a strong showing in consumables, so this is a tremendous opportunity," said Newham.
The deal may also provide further business partnerships, with Office National member Mitronics Corporation picking up Minolta-QMS's entire printer and consumables range.