The contract will allow Lincoln-based Danwood to take to market, bill and deliver service throughout the UK, Ireland and the Channel Islands, for the complete Xerox Production product range – from entry-level office printers through to the iGen4 press.

According to Danwood's graphic and production system division managing director Gerry Mulvaney, the service contract is a huge bonus for the company.

He said: "We have been looking to extend our services for a while. For Xerox it has always been a 'no-no' to allow servicing deals, so they must have seen something that can add value to their business.

"It will generate extra business for them and unlock a lot of doors for us. This is a huge opportunity."

The Xerox product range has joined HP, Konica, Sharp, Ricoh and Panasonic equipment on Danwood's supplier list.

According to Mulvaney, the Xerox deal will not affect its current contracts with its other clients.

He said: "We have a non-exclusive agreement with all our major partners. Our business model has enabled us to grow to be the largest independent print solutions supplier in Europe and the business enjoyed by our partners has grown accordingly.

"The agreement with Xerox will enable our market share to grow even more and the spin-off will be extra business for our major partners as well. We are very likely to supply HP products with Xerox products in a single customer agreement."

Alan Charnley, managing director for Xerox UK and Ireland, said: "Appointing the Danwood group as a nationwide channel partner is a major opportunity for Xerox to access many more potential customers with Xerox technology and business solutions.

"We believe this will be a long-term strategic alliance that will bring mutual benefits."