A new printer manufacturer, Pantum, is launching in the UK and Ireland markets, signing its first distributor and claiming it will reinvigorate a landscape long dominated by names such as HP and Xerox.However, Pantum, a Chinese brand based in Beijing which partners Guangdong-based manufacturer Zhuhai Seine to produce its kit, will stay away from the managed print services (MPS) market for the time being, according to the vendor's UK business manager John Davies.
"The managed services offer is not the target for Pantum right now. Pantum is dedicated to providing a wide choice to its professional users and is focusing on offering a great business opportunity to its partners," Davies said in a statement.
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Its offering includes "affordable" single-function machines, monochrome lasers, MFPs and networkable printers suitable for businesses. Pantum has so far signed up office products distributor Spicers as its sole channel partnership in the UK and Ireland but, when asked, Davies suggested the vendor would not rule out hiring an IT distributor in future.
"Pantum will collaborate with key cross-channel distributors that can deliver the broadest possible reseller base," he said. "We want to offer the opportunity to SMBs as well as large and governmental accounts, to reduce their cost of printing while still using original supplies."
Davies claimed Pantum promised the "best" total cost of ownership on the market. Marketing campaigns targeting end users would start in mid-November, he said.
This month is it is launching its P2000 and P2050 printers (pictured) in the UK. Next year, the company plans to expand its product line much further, he added.
The company has offices in Switzerland and Israel as well as China, and distributors in Russia and the US. Its website offers an English-speaking contact via email for UK support.