Veritek Global, a photolab, cinema and medical imaging equipment servicing specialist, is looking to expand into the printing industry. It took a stand at drupa and built up a list of prospects throughout the UK and Europe.
The company was set up in 1985 as Complete Minilab Services (CMS), to install, maintain and remove minilab photo processing equipment. Based in Eastbourne, it now works for the likes of Asda, Boots, Jessops and Sainsbury’s. Five years ago it diversified into healthcare imaging, ie radiology, in UK hospitals. It also handles opthalmic equipment for Boots Opticians.
‘Sony then asked us to look after digital cinema equipment and now we look after half the 4K cinemas in the UK,’ said managing director Jim Edgar (pictured above).
‘We then started looking at printing as an extension of the imaging sector that we already serve,’ he said. ‘The idea is that manufacturers and suppliers can outsource their servicing to us. We want to be brand neutral, and we will not be selling products or consumables, just support.
‘We began ten months ago by hiring a consultant to look into it. We went to drupa for the first time in May and took a stand. It was an experience, very vibrant. We’re used to chemical and digital labs, electromechanical finishing and already have 140 engineers in the UK and 240 across Europe, offering 24/7 coverage. They already have the skills to deal with the majority of equipment we saw at drupa.’
Mr Edgar joined the company in 2007 from the banking sector. Since then it has changed its name to Veritek Global, diversified and expanded into Europe. There are eight European territories served, each with a general manager, head office and call centre for the local language.
The company has ISO 9001 and 27001 certification and this year was awarded a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade. Its services include onsite engineering support for installation and relocation, preventative maintenance, breakdown and repairs. It can also offer remote monitoring and diagnostics.
‘At drupa, our German business operated the stand,’ Mr Edgar said. ‘ We got 120 leads, 30 for the UK. These ranged from OEMs to press suppliers, distributors and customers. There were a few other servicing companies at drupa, but none with our pan-European coverage.’
Contact: www.veritekglobal.com
