Lasertech
Established for nearly 20 years Lasertech UK is the market leading Franchise that supplies Businesses with Printer Cartridge and office products.
Company History
Lasertech was established in 1989 and is a privately owned UK company. We were one of the first companies in the UK to manufacture toner cartridges using recycled materials. Since then we
have become a leading independent manufacturer of Compatible Toner and Ink Cartridges in the UK, as well as a supplier of office products. Lasertech and our franchisees, sell the Lasertech Brand of printer cartridges and Brands like HP, Epson, Canon, and Samsung, with over 70 other brands direct to businesses. We also sell a complete range of more than 25,000 Office Products to our customers. We aim to make Lasertech their number one choice for everything they use in their office.
Lasertech now have franchisees in Spain, Ireland and across the UK and are looking for motivated and committed people to share our success and develop our Brand to achieve mutual benefits.
In the UK we have approaching 100 franchise territories operating. These are a mixture of Company and Franchise owned, over 500,000 of our printer cartridges are in use every day!
The Market Place
Lasertech and our Franchisees sell direct to businesses. 99.9% of UK businesses use printer cartridges and 100% use office products of some kind. An average office spends £400 per employee, per year on office products alone.
Lasertech have nearly 20 years experience serving this market and our Franchisees benefit from this knowledge everyday.
Together the printer cartridges and office products market is worth over £10bn per annum and is growing every year. More and more UK businesses use printers to produce more and more literature of all kinds. Hard selling is selling things businesses don't really want or need. Persistence is the key to gain customers; the ability to continually persevere is far better than previous sales experience in running a Lasertech Franchise.
It is unusual for a business to send out staff to shops to buy printer cartridges and office products – they expect them to be delivered to their desk. They want it delivered fast and free. The traditional option is for them to browse catalogues at their desk and order over the telephone or online. This is what Lasertech and you, as a franchisee do day in day out and much, much more. Lasertech have successfully migrated many of our customers to order online which has reduced our Franchisees overheads and increased average order values.
Lasertech and its franchisees are unique in the market place; no-one else in the industry provides national cover and international buying power with a local specialist service provided by our franchise network.
The printer cartridge industry is fast moving with new product launches and innovation meaning the products we sell are CONSUMABLE. Repeat business is what we aim for and what we get when we keep our customers happy. In fact the major manufacturers often don't make any money from selling printers. The profit is in the printer cartridges. Therefore with Lasertech there are plenty of opportunities to make good profits on the products you sell.
A Proven, Successful Franchise Model
As the market is worth over £10bn and growing, it is very profitable. For printer cartridges the customer can choose either OEM (original equipment manufacturer) or compatible (like Lasertech brands) there is a third choice of refills but most businesses do not buy these in great numbers due to quality problems and inconsistency of output.
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Customers demand quality products, good value and FAST FREE DELIVERY. This is what Lasertech stands for. As a Lasertech Franchisee, you will benefit from sourcing your stock from Lasertech and from Europe’s largest stationery wholesaler. We run an automated stock system and the latest IT software and hardware to give our franchisees a competitive edge. Office products are run as a stockless system using a network of distribution centres across the UK. This means you don’t need to stock any office products, it’s all delivered to your customers on your behalf. If you so choose you only need to carry limited cartridge products due to our ordering and delivery system, so you don’t have lots of money tied up in stock.Some Of What Lasertech Provides Our Franchisees
Our business model is simple yet advanced, something that has been continually developed since 1989 and more rapidly since we started franchising in 2002.
Lasertech have a policy of re-investment, this means our business is constantly changing and growing to meet and exceed the needs of our franchisees and their customers.
Head Office support includes:
- R&D of new products
- Providing products to sell before competitors
- Support from HP, Brother and Samsung as Lasertech are an official partner of each of these global brands.
- ISO 9001 Quality Standard
- ISO 14001 Quality Standard
- UK wide Recycling Programme for used printer cartridges
- Stockless provision of 25,000 office products
- Buying power of Lasertech UK ensures lower prices and benefits from suppliers
- Bespoke IT systems running your business and integrating with Marketing and Accounts functions
- 24/7 web portal with all supporting documentation
- 24/7 Franchise Bulletin Board
- Field based support staff
- Support staff in Accounts, Technical and Customer Service departments
- PrinterManagement.com software to secure long term contracts
- New business generation support available
The Lasertech Franchise opportunity is a proven business with many, very successful franchisees already trading. Those invited to join our Franchise Network will be joining a successful team - not going it alone.
The Business Model; Brand; Manufacturing; New Product Development; Trade Marks; Patents; Intellectual Property; Training; Advice; Software and support we extend to our Franchisees is only part of the story. When we appoint a Franchisee we are harnessing their dedication and commitment as well as enabling them to make excellent returns on their investment. Ultimately, Franchisee success is down to sustained personal effort. Existing Franchisees have proven this.Lasertech has a very strong brand and excellent proven product range. The level of brand recognition in the market is established and growing. Examples of the types of marketing Lasertech franchisees and head office carry out are as follows:
- Customer Data. Lasertech use complex CPA (Customer Profile Analysis). This CPA is mapped into every exclusive franchise territory and provides you with a database of potential customers to market to.
- Brochures and Catalogues. Lasertech manage the design and production of a wide range of high quality glossy brochures, seasonal products and tactical offer brochures and leaflets.
- Lasertech Franchise Software (LFS). The LFS is an integral part of a franchisees business. It is the most up to date technology that covers every aspect of the business from territory call planning, account management and marketing. This software controls your franchise operation.
- Holiday and Business Cover. When established you are able to take a holiday, safe in the knowledge that Lasertech will operate your business for you allowing you to enjoy time off meeting our operational standards.
- Local Direct Mail. Lasertech will provide document templates, data and fulfillment for local Direct
- Mail on your LFS and to download.
- Head Office Telesales. Instead of recruiting your own telesales staff you can outsource to head office to call your customer once you have them
- Email sales campaigns. Lasertech design and send professional emails to your customers. They can even be personalized with your details and you get reports of who clicks on your e-mail to follow them up.
- Franchisee Portal. The franchisee portal is a unique online information website. It gives you access to a host of information including daily price updates, marketing products downloads, sales and marketing tips, training manuals, franchisee forum, operations manual updates, general business and industry updates and news
- Franchisee Development Manager. Dedicated to your business growth and paid bonuses only if you hit your targets. They benefit only from your success.
- IT Support. From our Head Office team.
- Accounts Support. From our Head Office team.
- Lead Generation. From our Marketing Department and central campaigns.
- Website. Personal Web Page.
Why become a Lasertech Franchisee?
There are many reasons to seriously consider a Lasertech Franchise; a few have been listed here:
Consumable high demand products- 99.9% of businesses require our products
- A UK company established since 1989
- An already established network of franchisees
- You sell high margin products but don't rely on just a few products - we have over 30,000!
- Benefit from taking on existing Lasertech customers in your territory
- Growing industry and Lasertech are an established operator
- 60+ head office support staff
- Lower operating overheads than most businesses
- Full on-going training and support
- Unique in our market, very difficult to replicate
- Exclusive franchise territories
- Established, tried and tested systems and processes
- All R&D, product development, research and manufacturing is done for you
- An environmentally focused manufacturer with an established recycling programme
- Holiday and emergency cover p.a. subject to prior approval
- Excellent earning potential and options to suit you
- Latest technology is utilized in our businesses
- Lasertech is privately owned and managed by the owners
- Lasertech staff are passionate about what we do
- After building a Lasertech Franchise it can be sold at a profit - giving you capital growth
Lasertech Franchise Options
Option 1 – Operator Option
Suited to people who want to run their own business from home. This enables the franchisee to run a single van business with lower overheads. Lasertech do not require an operator franchisee to ever have staff. All the work in the Franchise is undertaken by the Franchisee themselves.
You will receive as part of your franchise package:
- Exclusive Single Territory
- Operations Manual
- 2 Week Residential Training Course
- Business Stationery
- Laptop, Laser Printer
- Van Livery
- Corporate Dress
- Lasertech Franchise Software
- Ongoing Support from HQ
- Dedicated Business Development Manager
Total Franchise Package Costs: £15,000
Minimum Working Capital: £15,000
Up to 70% of the total costs of the franchise can be funded by a bank, subject to status
Option 2 – Management Option
Suited to those that want to build a large business and have the experience to recruit and manage a multi van operation.
As part of your franchise package you will receive:
- Exclusive area – covering four territories
- Plus £5100 stock credit note
- Plus £6500 launch marketing programme
- Stock of marketing materials
- Plus £1350 Deposit contribution covering 2 vans
- 2 week residential training course
Total Franchise Package Costs: £39,000
Minimum Working Capital: £20,000
Up to 70% of the total costs of the franchise can be funded by a bank, subject to status
Sales
We expect each Operator Franchisee to achieve sales of £100,000 at about 38% margin within 18 months. We expect a Management Franchisee to achieve double this (2 staff, 2 vans) and then continue this growth with more staff
Actual sales figures for Franchisees operating both options will be made available after confidentiality declarations have been signed.
Business Description: Lasertech - van based management franchise supplying small to medium sized businesses with printer cartridges and stationary.
BFA Membership: Associate
Franchise Type: Management
Minimum Personal Investment: £ 15,000
Minimum Total Investment: £ 15,000
1 Easter Court
Gemini Business Park
Warrington
Cheshire
WA5 7ZB
Tel: 0870 428 3994
Fax: 0870 787 0708
Web: www.lasertechgroup.com/franchise
Fax: 0870 787 0708
Web: www.lasertechgroup.com/franchise
John Alder, Lasertech – Cumbria
"What I really like about Lasertech is the facts it’s an international company but provides a very local service, there is no other competitor in the office products and printer cartridge market that can match what I now do as a franchisee. The ability for the entire business to be flexible and meet my local customers’ needs is what keeps customer retention so high. I’ve grown my business quicker than I thought and have now expanded by taking on more vans and staff."
UPDATE. Lasertech Cumbria has managed to increase his turnover by a massive 30% in 2008. John Alder (Managing Director of Lasertech Cumbria, a management franchise) recruited a delivery driver in 2008 to help him expand the cover of his territory. Geographically his territory may be large, but with carefully planning and Green Delivery days to his regular customers it seems John manages to overcome any obstacles. He has also converted his customers to ordering on the web, this reduces the time he spends on the telephone each day, freeing up time to win new customers.
Mark Lynch, Lasertech - Tallaght & Naas
I was first made aware of Lasertech through a franchise show where I was impressed with what they had managed to set up and achieve in England. It seemed to be a good business opportunity in a consumable market where people had to buy what we offered. Lasertech offered a different approach to this market that is not matched by any other company in Ireland.
You receive great support from head office who help with all queries, which is especially useful at the startup stage. I have managed to build up a good client base of small, medium and large sized businesses in a short period of time. This is growing all the time and it is great getting customers switching from the larger company’s such as Viking and Datapac to ourselves.’
UPDATE. Mark’s Business got off to a flying start and the success is down to Mark’s enthusiasm and hard work. He now supplies many businesses and Schools in Tallaght and Naas with Printer Cartridges and Office Products and his van is well recognised in his territory.
Just 10 months into his Lasertech Franchise Mark won a contract to supply the office of Public Works in Co. Meath with £20K’s worth of Printers. Mark had registered with a Government online e-tender site and was keeping his eye out for tenders that would be suitable. Mark liaised with Lasertech Head Office purchasing department and support staff to complete the tender and won it! Mark next move is to win the contract to supply Public Works with all the consumables for their new printers. This shouldn’t be too difficult as the Lasertech Brand cartridges are up to 50% cheaper than brands such as HP, Canon Etc but manufactured to the same high quality standards. They also come with a 12 month Guarantee for peace of mind.
Lucky Okpako, Lasertech – South East London
Lucky Okpako launched Lasertech South East London in 2009. Lucky “had always wanted to start his own business. Thus becoming a franchisee at Lasertech has fulfilled that dream.” Lucky saw there were two main benefits of becoming a Lasertech Franchisee:
1. Have the experience and support of a well established Head Office.
2. Work with trusted products.”
David Bolam, Lasertech – Northumberland
David Bolam, Managing Director of Lasertech Northumberland, launched his Lasertech Franchise in 2005. He has recently experienced his best ever month, with support from Head Office contributing to his success.
David has won Franchisee of the Year for the past two years and is well on the way to winning for a third year in a row if March 2009 is anything to go by, achieving his highest ever turnover for a single calendar month at just over £36k! David talks about what factors contributed to his success: 'I received a couple of big orders from two schools, one had just ordered paper in the past, but after speaking to Pam, who is based at Head Office, and does telesales for me, she quoted them for cartridges and managed to close the deal."
"The other school received an email broadcast which Head Office sent out on my behalf, but personalised with my details; they contacted me directly from this email and became a brand new customer. I have also gained another 10 new customers in March. I believe this is down to time management and giving Pam more responsibility. She has contacted my customers on a regular basis for some time now, but in March she was targeting schools, negotiating, quoting and closing, this freed up more of my time to win new customers."
