Phoenix takes on HP inkjets and spares
Phoenix
Toner has picked up distribution rights to HP’s range of consumer
inkjet printers and complete spare parts catalogue. The deal is part of
the distributor’s broader effort to push outside of the printer
supplies market and into hardware.
Phoenix
has been supplying HP consumables for the past three years. Its general
manager, Don Bentley, said the extension would allow it to diversify
into new areas of business.
He singled out the inclusion of HP spare
parts as a highlight. Under the new arrangement, Phoenix will now have
access to the full range – including notebook bezels, server
components, hard drives, power adaptors and so on. It joins EMPR as the
second distributor of spare parts locally.
It was the first time Phoenix had stepped into spare parts distribution, Bentley said.
“Part
of the attraction for HP in using us for spare parts is that we have
sales offices and warehouses in each of the major cities around
Australia,” he said. “Our commitment to HP is that we will carry the
right spares based on their SKUs on the ground in each of our branches
so we can offer same-day delivery.”
On the other side, access to
HP’s consumer inkjet printer models would also give the distributor an
opportunity to provide printer and consumable bundles to its resellers,
Bentley said.
The introduction of HP printers to its product
portfolio follows recent hardware agreements with Canon, Kyocera,
Brother and Sharp. The new range was seeing a different breed of
resellers knock on Phoenix’s door, he said.
“I think we will see new
types of resellers, more focused in hardware retailing,” Bentley said.
“Traditionally we have serviced the SME and stationary businesses.”
HP
products currently accounted for about $30 million in annual sales
revenue, he said, and 20 per cent year-on-year growth. The new deal
should see sales growth increase by up to 25 per cent.