Gestetner makes mass inroads into Massdiscounters

Gestetner has made significant inroads into the Massmart Holdings-owned Massdiscounters` stores (trading as Game and Dion), winning 40% of the retailer`s business, with presence in all 65 stores nationwide.

Massdiscounters had previously spent up to 90% of its multifunction printing, copying and faxing budget with a single preferred supplier, with the balance being made up by a number of other suppliers.

Wanting to upgrade and install multifunctional devices on a large scale and within a relatively short period of time, Massdiscounters approached its suppliers.

Gestetner worked together with Massdiscounters to identify and solve issues relating to costs and efficiencies and is now one of two preferred suppliers, winning 40% by offering competitive pricing, guaranteed stockholding, training and superior customer service.

"We were chosen because we could deliver to our client`s needs within the tight time period and well within budget," says Michael Stanley, marketing manager at Gestetner SA.

The R1.2 million roll-out, which took roughly five months, saw the installation of a DSM415pf multifunctional printer (MFP) in each of the local stores. As part of this implementation, the Vodacom kiosks in each of the Game and Dion stores were also supplied with an MFP. These machines allow for paperless faxing, high-speed network printing, network scanning, have a scan-to-e-mail facility and access to a document server.

"The service from Gestetner is excellent," says Dessie Moodley, Infrastructure Manager at Massdiscounters. "I`m confident that partnering with Gestetner will help us grow our business in the long-term. They provide good service at a competitive cost and we look forward to an ongoing relationship with them in the future."

Being part of the Ricoh group meant that Gestetner SA was also able to assist with the installation in Massdiscounters` seven stores in Africa through its Ricoh/Gestetner outlets.

"We have the infrastructure and the stability to maintain a multinational in a busy retail environment," concludes Stanley.