Canon UK, a leader in digital imaging and technology, has selected 18 resellers and distributors in the Large Format Printer (LFP) market across the UK this year to become part of its highly regarded partner programme.
Following Canons annual review process, two of its distributors Art Systems and Velmex and 16 of its Reseller partners* have become accredited partners and will work closely with Canon to develop their sales, service and media strategy. The Canon partner programme demonstrates the companys ongoing support for the reseller channel and the successful growth of Canon LFPs in the production, CAD, General Use, Photography and Fine Art markets.
Canon has recently focused heavily on the LFP market launching 16 new products in the last 12 months, including the Canon imagePROGRAF 810 / 820 for the Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) markets, and the Canon imagePROGRAF iPF6200 for the Professional Print, photography and print-for-pay market.
Infosource figures for the first half of 2008 show that Canon has a 13% market share of the 17 to 60 water based LFP market in the UK, which is forecast to hit 16% by the year end. This means that Canon has increased market share for the fifth consecutive year since launching its LFP range in 2003.
In order to gain accreditation, the selected resellers need to meet a number of stringent criteria, which are designed to ensure the best possible end user experience in service as well as technology solutions.
Once approved on the scheme, the partners are entitled to a number of benefits and support from Canon, including:
- Ongoing training, including Education events and blitz days to drive specific sales
- Access to integrated marketing materials in the form of sales tools, point of sale items and online promotions through the Canon website
- Preferential product discounts and consumables offers, such as multipack ink buying offers
- Dedicated Canon account support and service training
Throughout the entire process Canon will help to build and develop strong partners who truly understand the product proposition. Canon will provide marketing tools and collaterals, including case study materials and website development, enabling partners to generate incremental business in a highly competitive marketplace.
Matthew Searle, Director, Canon Partner Channel, Canon UK said: Canon has worked hard to produce market leading Large Format Printers across a number of segments in the last few years. Whilst we invest heavily in our products, we also have to invest heavily in our partners so that we ensure they are delivering the best performance to our customers. The partner programme allows Canon to ensure our resellers share the philosophy of offering market-leading products and service to our customers, so we provide them with the infrastructure to successfully sell the Canon imagePROGRAF LFP ranges into our target markets.
Our Partners have to go through a stringent selection criteria to make it onto the partner programme, but once selected they can rely on ongoing support and service from Canon. Our relationship is a true partnership and Canon can deliver real tangible benefits to its channel partners.
* The following companies have been named Canon Large Format Reseller Partner:-
Condor Office Solutions Ltd, Design Supply Ltd, Graphic Shop Co UK Ltd, Paper Company Ltd, Revolution, RGB UK Ltd, Robert Horne Group, Designline Systems, A1 CAD & Stationary Services Ltd, Colour Link, Graphic Printing Technologies Ltd, Lion Picture Framing Supplies Ltd, DCP Systems Ltd, Avon Graphics Technologies Ltd, Copytech group Services Ltd, Perfect Colours Ltd
About Canon (UK) Limited
Canon is a world-leading innovator and provider of imaging and information technology solutions for the home and office environments. Canon has a global philosophy of Kyosei - living and working together for the common good, which clearly demonstrates commitment to customers, staff and the environment shared by all. Canon (UK) Ltd is the UK marketing and sales operation for the global company based in Tokyo, Japan. In the UK Canon employs around 1,800 people in various locations including Ireland.
The main business focus for Canon (UK) Ltd is in two clearly defined market segments: Business Solutions covering both the office and professional printing environments (including: multifunctional printers, IT consultation, photocopiers, printers, large format printers, fax machines, document management hardware & software) and Consumer Imaging (input solutions: film and digital SLR cameras, digital still compact cameras, camcorders, binoculars, calculators and scanners; and output solutions: Inkjet and laser printers, faxes, desktop all-in-ones and multimedia projectors). Broadcast Division is an extension of our product portfolio covering the supply and servicing of professional lenses and their accessories to the Television Broadcasting environment.
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