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DEALER PROFILE
DMC was first established in 1991 by
Jon Hill and Justin Nicholson and two
years later, it added a distribution
arm with the introduction of Damian
Kelly. Within the past few years, the
group has been recognised in the
Daily Telegraph ‘Hot 1000’ as one the
UK's most inspirational and exciting,
growing businesses.
Acquisitions drive growth
During the 1990s, the business acquired
a number of copier sales and service
companies in London and the North West
of England. These acquisitions included
Wrekin Office, Unistat and Pace, as well as
a customer base in London.
In 2010, DMC acquired Imcopex, a
move that expanded its distribution arm
and in 2013 it integrated the operations of
Canotec, one of Canon UK’s top Advanced
Solution Partners which had an extensive
customer base in London and the South/
South West of England, into the group. This
move brought together two key service
providers in the industry, each of whom
had a 20 year-long heritage and a common
focus on customer service, innovation and
attention to detail.
The group’s acquisitions signalled its
continued commitment to invest for growth
and just two years later, BCL, another
Canon Advanced Solution Partner joined
the DMC group. BCL brought over 34 years’
knowledge and expertise, strengthening
the group’s service capabilities, enhancing
its solutions portfolio and presence into
specific verticals.
By combining the three businesses
worth an estimated £40 million, the group
became one of Canon’s largest and most
advanced independent suppliers of print and
document solutions in the UK and Europe.
As with all integrations, DMC Canotec
allows the acquired companies to operate
as independent subsidiaries with the
long-term view of merging them into the
group, in order to maximise the business’
brand value. Members of the key senior
management team and staff including
Canotec founder David Newman, (currently
DMC Canotec Marketing Director) and BCL
Managing Director Philip Kavanagh (DMC
Canotec Group Sales Director), remained
in position to drive the next stage of the
organisation’s growth plans.
Broadening its portfolio
This month saw the group complete on
the acquisition of Kent-based First Office
Systems Ltd, a strategic move designed to
broaden the portfolio of managed services
to document management solutions,
managed print services, IT managed
services and telecoms. The addition of First
Office Systems also provides DMC Canotec
with a sound platform to further grow its
presence in Kent.
The company’s service provision covers
the majority of the country, it has regional
offices in Bristol, Ringwood and Croydon, as
well as the newly added office in Tunbridge
Wells, Kent following the First Office Systems
acquisition. From January 2017, DMC
Canotec will be Canon UK’s authorised
service provider in the South West.
Kavanagh said that the group’s strategy
for growth over the last three years has been
to join together like-minded businesses, with
the aim of delivering outstanding customer
service, adding: “We are really looking
forward to working with a new team that
matches our existing culture and ethos.”
Commenting on the group’s latest
acquisition, Mark Eyden, Director of Partner
Channel at Canon UK and Ireland said:
“Canon has been working with DMC
Canotec and First Office Systems for
many years and we are excited about the
benefits the combined company brings to
their customers.”
He added: “We are delighted to see
the continuing growth of DMC Canotec,
who are one of our strongest partners in
DMC Canotec has marked its
25th anniversary year with
the acquisition of First Office
Systems Ltd, the company’s
third in as many years
DMC Canotec completes
latest acquisition
the UK. Their company ethos of striving
for customer service excellence, combined
with a range of print and information
management solutions means that they
are very well placed to take advantage
of the opportunities within the market.
We congratulate the teams at DMC
Canotec and First Office Systems on a
successful integration and look forward to
strengthening our partnership.”
Changes at the top
Earlier this year, Simon Davey who spent
26 years in financial services including
roles in strategy and sales leadership,
joined DMC Canotec as Managing Director.
At the same time, Co-founder and former
Managing Director Jon Hill, assumed the
role of Group CEO, continuing to take
overall responsibility of the entire business.
DMC Canotec also appointed a number
of employees from within its 140-strong
workforce to Director and Associate Director
roles, reflecting the contribution they have
made to the group. Hill said: “Without a
doubt our company’s greatest asset is our
staff. We now have a senior management
team with the vision, confidence and
experience to successfully lead our growth
in a rapidly changing market.”
Charity support
As part of its CSR commitment, DMC
Canotec supports the Starlight Children’s
Foundation, which grants once in a lifetime
wishes and entertainment for seriously and
terminally ill children within the UK.
The business is aiming to raise £10,000
this financial year (by March 2017) through
staff fundraising activities and donating 25p
for every planitgreen toner sold. To date,
employees from offices in Croydon, Bristol,
Manchester and Ringwood, have given up
their spare time to raise funds through a
variety of activities from hiking, running and
swimming, to charity car boot sales and
cake bakes. The fundraising team recently hit
the £9,000 mark, well ahead of schedule.
We are really
looking
forward to
working with
a new team
that matches
our existing
culture and
ethos
Simon Davey
and Jon Hill
The fundraising
team
The team at
First Office
Systems
