Xerox acquires Concept Group to further expand reach into SMB market

Xerox Corporation has acquired Concept Group, expanding its reach in the small and medium-sized business (SMB) market in the UK.  Concept Group, a supplier of digital document solutions, has nine locations throughout the U.K.
 
Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Livingston, Scotland, Concept Group provides document imaging solutions and technical service to more than 3,000 customers from Aberdeen to London. Its more than 50 salespeople will begin selling Xerox's document technology and services immediately.

 
Over the last three years Xerox has expanded its distribution to the European SMB market and has grown its managed print services delivery capability through two other acquisitions Irish Business Systems, Ireland, and Veenman, in the Netherlands and by broadening relationships with resellers and concessionaires in Europe.
 
"Channel expansion continues to be a key aspect of the Xerox strategy for Europe," said Douraid Zaghouani, president, Indirect Channels Group, Xerox Corporation. "With Concept Group, we significantly increase our presence across the U.K., bringing the right talent, the right coverage and the right positioning to this vital market."  
 
Concept Group will carry the full range of Xerox office products and supplies, including all Phaser, WorkCentre and ColorQube printers and multifunction systems, which print, copy, fax and scan, and it will service Xerox devices. Over time Concept Group will expand to carry Xerox's light production printing products.  Xerox's industry-recognised managed print services will also be a market differentiator for the Concept Group team. Xerox managed print services help businesses reduce costs by up to 30 percent, increase productivity and enhance document and device security.
 
"Our aim has always been to exceed customer expectations with regard to performance and cost savings," said Colin Paterson, founder of Concept Group. "The acquisition means we'll be able to do that even better by bringing our customers all the benefits of Xerox's brand-leading products and managed print services expertise."
 
Concept Group will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Xerox, working in parallel with Xerox's other distribution channels in the region. Paterson will continue to lead the company, reporting directly to Zaghouani.  Concept Group will maintain its name and keep its headquarters in Livingston. Its employees will continue to operate as part of Concept Group.
 
Xerox currently employs more than 4,700 people in the U.K., including 230 in Scotland, who are engaged in technical support, sales, service delivery and marketing activities.