Print-Rite Pelikan Expands into Africa

Print-Rite Pelikan Expands into Africa

A 30-year pioneer of the office equipment and supplies industry is supporting Print-Rite Pelikan to open up emerging markets in Africa.

Stuart Lacey (pictured) has been appointed as an authorised non-exclusive distributor for both Print-Rite and Pelikan branded printing consumables for Africa and the Middle East. Lacey’s business, DeLace Pty Ltd is based in South Africa and will provide local sales and marketing support for dealers and resellers.

Print-Rite Europe’s (PRE) Steve Weedon commented on the new partnership: “DeLace Pty Ltd may be a new company but we have had a business relationship with the owners for decades. Highly trusted and regarded, it’s good to work with people who have the same drive, passion and enthusiasm as we do to make the Pelikan brand for imaging consumables an African success.”

The Pelikan brand has been well recognised for delivering OEM-quality, reliable products across Western Europe, the Americas, and several other major regions. since it was established in 1838.

Stuart Lacey added, “Obviously, we are delighted to be partnering with PRE and the Pelikan branded product range and see this as a huge opportunity to offer dealers and resellers a superior product at a saving compared to the OEM, whilst generating increased margins for them. The bio-based cartridges add an extra dimension and this remarkable product is a game-changer, partly because they are eco-friendly and reduce CO2 footprint, but also because they are designed to be remanufactured. This is a particularly important part of our strategy for the future, and will allow us to help create considerable opportunities to re-establish local manufacturing across the continent …”

For further information, email Stuart Lacey or Jason Doran.

Lacey Has a Story to Share

Lacey originally moved to Kenya when he was twenty, initially working for the Kenyan Vice President and managing his ranch and 500 head of cattle. He was then invited to the Masai Mara to manage and build safari camps and was finally sent to Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the Congo) and later, took a position in Kampala, Uganda. Following some scary experiences he fled back to London. He remembers weeping on the flight back to the UK knowing Africa was the one continent where he felt truly at home. He went to work at PPC Supplies in London. Lacey was persuaded by a very persistent Steve Weedon to join Static Control Components (SCC), initially managing key accounts across Europe, then specific countries and regions and eventually taking on the international markets. “Before joining, Steve and I shook hands on one matter that was very important to me,” says Lacey. “He agreed, eventually, that I could get back to Africa when the time was right.” Over the 23 years he spent with SCC, he opened and managed offices and distribution in Turkey, Dubai, India, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.

According to Lacey, Africa is a difficult and complex territory. It many places it is just opening up for the first time. Businesses are looking for strategic partners from outside of their borders and outside of Africa as well. But he adds it can be achieved with persistence, commitment and local know-how. “Unfortunately, there are very few companies in our industry who still have the drive and determination to support these unique markets. Many have tried and many have failed, but there are still those who are willing to sacrifice an enormous amount of time and energy in supporting these developing territories and the amazing customer base that strives every day to grow their markets.”

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