We had the pleasure once again to visit Plymouth’s only family-run, independent photocopier specialists. On our last visit to the well-presented and well-located Print Copy Scan head office, we watched as wild deer wandered past the main office window, this was in December 2016 so as you can imagine it was a very memorable interview for us. A lot has changed since then, in fact, Print Copy Scan has managed to shape the business to become one of the most recognised brands for its sector in Devon & Cornwall. It’s good to hear the office staff still witness the beautiful herd of deer walking past their window on occasion in the mornings.
Print Copy Scan (PCS) was established 15 years ago by local entrepreneur Karl Welburn. Karl’s mission, to provide the South West with fast, high-quality photocopiers, printers, and repairs along with exceptional customer service. Karl has maintained that brilliant reputation throughout the years, even during the Covid-19 Pandemic with a new expansion into the office supplies sector, which gave birth to PCS Supplies.
“We now offer in excess of 1000 contracted photocopiers to businesses in the UK and which is fully backed up with complete print management services and repair services by our fully-qualified engineers.” – Steve informed us. With over 2000 customers to keep them busy “We can always be busier”Jill remarks.
By being an engineer focused team, they can act quickly and efficiently with an average site arrival time of 3 hours, along with a 90% first-time fix rate which is incredibly high in the industry.
The astute PCS team only want the very best for their customers which means they have streamlined their products to the highest quality brands such as Toshiba, Develop, Epson and more. Talking to some of the team members it was very clear to us that PCS as a brand always strive to combine excellent value for money with excellent quality of service, where the customer comes first, every time, no matter the value of the product or service contract.
A core value of this business is sustainability which is something Claire Smith, the new PCS Commercial Director and Karl are very passionate about. PCS are a carbon neutral business, so eco-conscious manufacturers are a key focus of the company. They source Ink and toner cartridges from carbon-neutral manufacturers or from recycled plastic where possible and can be easily recycled, and PCS will make sure to only order what is needed to prevent waste.
PCS Supplies was founded in 2017 after Karl sourced to employ Jill to come and join the PCS team as Karl had recognised many of his PCS clients were enquiring if the business could provide office supplies. Karl had worked with Jill on multiple occasions previous to this and realised that a collaboration with Jill and her 20 years of experience to create a new office supplies platform was the way forward, so this is exactly what they did. Claire added in the interview, “Jill is so lovely, she is our walking, talking marketing and will look after you very well.’ And after meeting Jill many times ourselves we completely concur with that statement. PCS Supplies offer home & office printers, office stationery & paper, ink & toners, packaging & storage, office furniture and much more. You can find all of the office supplies available on their website www.pcssupplies.co.uk.
PCS pride themselves on being the only local, family-run, independent, photocopier supplier in the South West. With an office in Plymouth, Devon and an office in Roche, Cornwall, they can reach the whole of the South West quicker than larger national companies. The added benefit of being an independent, family-run company means you will always get through to one of the team who will go out of their way to ensure they are offering the best customer service possible. It’s that quality of service and the local appeal of the company that has helped sustain the loyalty of their customers.
The Covid-19 pandemic was an uncertain time for most. However, the team at PCS noticed that their clients from local schools, key workplaces and the NHS all needed printer supplies and repairs. Karl understood that there was a growing need to get much-needed products out to the key services such as the NHS along with servicing and repair needs. So, PCS continued to run and support their everyday requirements, this ensured key industries could still operate efficiently. This, along with the new flush of home workers needing equipment and support, kept the team very busy!
Having grown up in Plymouth, Karl has a wide network of friends and clients who he respects and in turn, respect him and his company. PCS’s quality of service reflects this as they wish to continue and maintain good relationships with all their clients. One thing we noted, was although all businesses need to make a profit in order to continue, PCS’s focus as always, is on client satisfaction, and quality of service above everything else.
Not only do the team at PCS want to maintain good relationships with their clients but also with the manufacturers. They are one of Toshiba’s key partners in the UK.
The Print Copy Scan team continue to commit to community support programmes, helping the likes of St Luke’s Hospice, sponsoring Tour De Moor, The Round Table, Devon Ukraine Fund and HD Livin’ to name just a few. Karl is a kind-hearted individual who wants the best for everyone around him, including his colleagues who he ensures have a healthy life-work balance. Karl’s principle is ‘Family comes first’ and knows that if you aren’t happy then that will affect your work.
Claire has recently joined the team after knowing Karl and the team for many years. She is excited for the growth and change in the business as they expand and move to the next level. Along with their strong customer-focused values, Claire is driving eco-friendly print solutions forward. Claire is responsible for the welfare of her colleagues and ensures they are all healthy, and happy with a good life-work balance.
“You have slotted in really well; you are a real bonus to the company.” Jill speaking to Claire.
The future of PCS and PCS Supplies is exciting as they have the team in place to be able to carry it to the next level. They’d like to have encompassed the whole of the South West and beyond and have Print Copy Scan be the first name you think of when looking for photocopiers, printers, scanners and supplies.
Due to the fantastic life-work balance that Karl and now Claire have ensured stays in place, they’d like for their company to be the desired company to work for.
Jill would like to see PCS Supplies continue to grow and take more of a presence in the South West. Along with this growth, the team will expand and ensure all work well as a team.
The fundamentals of Print Copy Scan are clear. A healthy life balance, strong customer and client relationships and local, independent service. Throughout the growth of the past 6 years, they have maintained this reputation and feel confident to move it towards the next stage of its amazing journey.