Xeretec – Xerox’s largest MPS reseller – has acquired Landscape Group, the UK’s most accredited HP MPS and Solutions Specialist, in a move that creates a new managed print powerhouse.
The acquisition brings together two of the biggest resellers of two of the world’s largest print brands, offering new and existing customers the expanded Group’s technical knowledge, toolsets, service capabilities and market expertise.
In addition to uniting the companies’ skill sets, the customer experience is enhanced too, giving them access to an even broader range of advanced A4 and A3 multifunction devices from both Xerox and HP. Landscape brings with it exciting new service offerings, including HP’s Device as a Service (DaaS). This combines innovative devices, lifecycle services and HP’s expertise into an all-inclusive, HP-managed solution – with per-seat, per-month cost certainty for customers.
The companies share core values of customer care, transparency, service delivery, value for money and commitment to long-term relationships, benefitting new and existing customers alike. The companies expect the acquisition to drive additional customer demand and they are both recruiting now in order to upscale their sales and support operations, creating new employment opportunities across both businesses. The acquisition ensures greater scope for Xeretec and Landscape employees to develop their career within a growing, secure, successful and dynamic organisation.
Commenting on the acquisition, Steve Hawkins, Xeretec’s Chief Executive, said: “The game-changing acquisition of Landscape Group is a transformational moment for Xerox, HP, our customers and our staff. Xeretec will continue to consolidate and develop its longstanding commitment to the Xerox brand, building on its exceptional track record of success. This best-of-breed acquisition plays to the strengths of both respected brands and both resellers, while introducing new complementary HP devices and value-added services like DaaS to even more customers. With the potential it offers customers and staff, we are thrilled to see the Landscape Group become a Xeretec Group company, and we warmly welcome its team to the existing Xeretec family.”
Founded in 1996, the independently-owned Landscape Group’s engineers and sales team are specialists in the full range of HP printers and HP Managed Print Services. It is one of HP’s Platinum Partners for Managed Print and it is also an HP Authorised Service Delivery Partner. Following the acquisition, the Landscape Group brand will remain and become a Xeretec Group company and it will continue to be based at its location in East Hampshire. To ensure consistency and assurance for its customers, all customer relationships, service and support will be served uninterrupted by the Landscape Group’s staff.
Speaking about the acquisition, David Smith, Landscape’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “This announcement represents a real milestone for our current and future customers, who are, without doubt, the most important part of any business. But it also brings new opportunities for our staff and partners. By combining Landscape’s 20 years plus of dedicated HP expertise, the scale and nationwide reach of Xeretec and HP’s impressive new entrance into the A3 MFP market place, customers now have an obvious route to investigate what a $50BN “new comer” can offer to enhance their IT infrastructure.”
George Brasher, MD of HP in the UK & Ireland, added: “Landscape has been a highly valued HP partner for many years and we congratulate both companies on what is an exciting acquisition. It comes at a pivotal time for HP, as we set out to disrupt and reinvent the A3 copier space and provides the perfect foundation for Landscape to play a major and highly successful role in that.”
This in no way changes Xeretec’s core relationship with Xerox, and the acquisition of Landscape means the Xeretec Group with Xerox and HP in its portfolio is now even more favourably positioned to effectively meet the changing print needs of a diverse range of customers across multiple industries; scaling from SMEs to corporates, whether UK-based or located overseas.
Photo shows (from left to right): Ian McKellar – HP Partner Business Manager, UK&I, Mark Davitt – Head of Printing Solutions Channel, UK&I, David Smith – CEO, Landscape, Nathalie Taieb – Head of Channel Solutions and Services, EMEA, Steve Hawkins – Chief Executive, Xeretec, Neil Sawyer – Channel Director, UK&I, Gary Tierney – Printing Business Director, UK&I