As part of the move, SwissQprint is establishing its own base in the UK.
The premises in Bracknell are expected to be up-and-running by 1 October, with an extended transition period in which Spandex continues to assist on installations until the end of April next year. SwissQprint's UK operation will be headed up by managing director Erskine Stewart.
Spandex has been the long-term exclusive supplier of SwissQprint devices to the UK sign and graphics market, having established a partnership based around distribution of the Swiss manufacturer’s Impala flatbed in 2011.
Stewart said that the partnership was ended by mutual agreement due to SwissQprint’s growing focus on the packaging, specialist print and industrial sectors.
“Our short-term focus in the UK will be to support our installation business and provide ink and consumables to the market,” Stewart said. “We have worked with Spandex for a long time, but the business is growing into new market and we decided this was the best direction.
“The UK is a particularly important market to us, and we would like to provide our clients here with an ongoing expert service in order for them to get the best out of our equipment and in order to improve our market share and bring in new clients from specialist markets.
“I think our tech is often the primary value-creating tool on our clients’ shop floors and so they can expect our priority to be a smooth transition where their support and supply is transferred from Spandex to us.”
A team of seven staff will be in place at Bracknell for the October launch of SwissQprint UK, with a demonstration centre showcasing the Karibu roll-to-roll printer, which was unveiled at Fespa 2019 in May, and the Nyala 3 flatbed.
SwissQprint’s full range of consumables, spare parts and ink will be distributed from the new subsidiary. The Switzerland-based company also runs subsidiary bases in Germany, Spain, the US and Japan.
Based out of Bristol, Spandex UK will continue to supply a wide range of kit and materials to cater for sign and display, digital print and specialist applications.
