Basic HTML Version
22 Print.IT Reseller
01732 759725
printers
The initial motivation behind the
company was the lack of expert
advice available in the industry.
Printerbase’s mission is to enable
businesses of all sizes to find the
best device for their needs, take
control of what they print and
uncover any hidden costs. In short, to
help firms create a much more cost
efficient print environment.
“It was very difficult to find a printer
supplier who genuinely specialised in
printers: latest models were being sold by
sales people, but individuals’ needs were
not taken into consideration,” says Knight.
Year on year growth
From its first sale – a £300 16ppm Brother
mono laser printer – the Manchester-based
printer specialist has enjoyed year-on-year
growth. Now recognised as one of the
largest suppliers of printers, multifunction
printers, toners and inks across the UK,
it has a firm ethos of value and excellent
customer service at its heart.
After just six months, the business had
outgrown the spare bedroom. “I moved to
offices just down the road and recruited
our first employee, Nick Simpson, three
months later,” says Knight. Simpson, who
joined in a sales support role remains with
Printerbase celebrates
ten-year anniversary
After eight years on the road installing and fixing printers, PCs and
IT networks, Peter Knight decided it was time to go it alone. In June
2003, from a makeshift office in his back bedroom, he built a website
from scratch and established a relationship with Micro-P. From such
humble beginnings Printerbase Ltd was born. Today it has an annual
turnover of c£9m and employs 25 staff.
After just
six months,
the business
had
outgrown
the spare
bedroom...
the business. Four years in Knight moved
again. “We bought a building in Ashton-
under-Lyne which at the time was far too
big – but it was always the intention that
we’d grow into it and we have.
“Thinking back to how we started and
what we have become today gives me a
great sense of pride. We’ve had our ups
and downs along the way, but we have still
managed to grow every year for the past
ten years which is a great achievement.
“I am very proud of what we have
achieved over the last ten years with
Printerbase and none of it would have
been possible without the great team we
have here – currently 25-strong with an
average length of service of between seven
to eight years – as well as the support of
our customers and suppliers,” says Knight.
Printer specialists
As printer specialists, Printerbase gives
customers an unrivalled level of advice and
knowledge, whether that is face-to-face,
over the phone, through live chat or via
email. “The aim is always to ensure the
customer gets the printer that is perfectly
suited to their needs,” Knight says.
Printerbase has a direct relationship
and works closely with a broad selection of
OEMs – the firm is listed as an authorised
online reseller and printer specialist by
Xerox, Brother, Lexmark, Samsung, Konica
Minolta, OKI and Kyocera – but has elected
to source through the distribution channel.
“We work with all the main players
Peter Knight,
Printerbase