News
GMG moves to direct sales model
Colour management and proofing specialist GMG has moved to a direct business model in the UK, firing its dealer channel and appointing a number of its staff to bolster the company's sales and support team.
Toby Burnett has joined from Xelix, which has become part of GMG UK, Simon Landau has joined from City & West End Solutions, Aaron Broome has joined from SOS North West and Ian Prosser has joined from CGS – all have the role of sales consultant.
GMG declined to name the dealers affected, however City & West End, SOS North West and Xelix all previously sold GMG products.
The proofing and colour software supplier said that the move would guarantee better and more consistent service and support to its customers.
"We are offering a solution now, whereas it has been fragmented before with one firm supplying the printer, one the software, another one the colour expertise, and another the media," said GMG UK managing director Ian Scott. "We will sell the printer, the software, ink, media and services."
New GMG managing director Paul Willems, a graphic arts veteran who joined the firm in March, said: "One of the things I’ve been looking at is our strategy for our distribution channel and partnerships, especially in the UK because of its market conditions and structure.
"A lot of companies are cutting back on service, that goes against what is important to us, we need to improve our service and control our go to market, which is starting in the UK."
The firm has shifted its focus to support strategic partnerships with equipment suppliers. Details of these arrangements and of new products will be revealed next week at Print 09 in Chicago.
Willems added that his vision was for the company’s products to be used in the proofing and wide-format sectors and all the way in-between.
GMG has also opened a Japanese office to support its resellers there, which include Fujifilm Graphic Systems, and to strengthen its links with partners including Epson, Mimaki and Screen.
GMG UK: additions to existing team
Comments
edwin blenkinsopp - 12 September 2009
Image2output (http://www.image2output.com) offer a full range unfragmented services with a complete spectrum of manufacturers and products that delivers better value to the pre press and print industries.
Gone with the wind - 12 September 2009
MJ JM - 15 October 2009
Having been on Holiday when the GMG direct model was announced it was only a week after my return when my GMG reseller started to struggle to supply me with GMG media.
I have worked with this reseller for the past two years and have never been let down with support or supplies.
Since having to go direct to GMG I have been let down on all levels, from support and had to wait on media being supplied.
Then I was charged for delivery as well. JOKERS!!
Then I had a GMG sales person in who told me to upgrade to version 5 or buy the paper and ink from GMG for support. NOW THEY ARE JOKING!!
I have started to look for alternatives, EFI, CGS are on my short list.
I have already got a like for like GMG media that uses the same MX3 & MX4 profiles and it really is sopt the difference!! At half the price!! T
MJ JM - 15 October 2009
A model that I hope goes very wrong!! DUPONT all over again!
They all looks like they have eat all the pies as well!!
Judd Perring - 28 October 2009
I read the above comments with Interest. I would like to clarify a few points.
GMG UK have set up a support team in the UK who are doing a great job. In addition to this we still have a dedicated dept at GMG HQ
who are there to help with all support questions. Support levels are monitored very carefully and we have seen no significant failings.
Supply of GMG media has already gone extremely smoothly and having extensive stocks, as any new company would ensure at start up!
Support is offered to all GMG users as either as a chargeable service or we are in a fortunate position to offer this free of charge to our
consumable customers. Consumable purchase is not a condition of support, simply an option.
We currently have a new version called ColorProof V5 and are recommending, not insisting, that users upgrade. Primarily to take advantage of the
latest Adobe Print Engine Technology and PDF libraries within the software. Not having these available may potentially cause some PDF issues in the future when using the latest features in Adobe products.
We like to pass on recommendations to our user base not just leave them to find out on a friday afternoon!
V5 also has a host of new features that would help your productivity.
DuPont sold proprietary hardware, software and consumable, even created their own colour-space. GMG UK sell open software, Epson printers and
Inkjet media and endorse the use of open industry standards. So please forgive me, I believe you will find we are the complete opposite.
If you have any genuine issues we would like to hear about them in order to improve our service to you and other GMG users. You are more than welcome to discuss these with myself directly at GMG UK.
Dave Spencer - 14 November 2009
Sounds to me like a Dupont move by the Norwich Mafia, I cant see the GMG owners as directors in the new company, so is this company even owned by GMG in germany, I wouldnt of thought so as i have been offer 3rd party media by there salesmen. Also i would like to point out that it seems like they a majority of there resellers best sales people when they pulled this Dupont move, In my eyes thats not a nice move, "thanks for getting us on the Map Mr Reseller and by the way here are you 30 days notice and with this i am going to take your best sales person along with me ". We have also had there sales person trying to force us in to upgrading to version 5, which i like to add i am not !!!! As my reseller has told me no one else knows how to support this apart from GMG. So they will sell you an upgrade then we are stuck buying from them for
the rest of the time we have this RIP, I think not, i am now looking
into other options, CGS Oris and EFI !!!!! Oh and Judd Nice to see you
trying to make things sound all fluffy !!!!
Chris Lavers - 14 November 2009
Hi Dave, what's a Dupont move? Can you point me in the right direction? Ta.
edwin blenkinsopp - 14 November 2009
[quote user="Dave Spencer"] As my reseller has told me no one else knows how to support this apart from GMG. So they will sell you an upgrade then we are stuck buying from them for the rest of the time we have this RIP, I think not, [/quote]
I wouldn't currently recommend upgrading to version 5 and can suggest the latest Efi offering as having better integration with the new Epsons and more stability. Spot colours I am advised are also better (brighter/purer colors) and Efi pricing is aggressively competitive with a large choice of support.
I remain confident of technically supporting the GMG rip and have just made a recalibration to a new stock yesterday - no problem, no panic.
I think the GMG have made a mistake with their consumables as there are 'drop in' replacements without profile change, lower cost, Fogra approved and Backstamp included. Send a pm for detailed information/quote which can be checked with any supplier you wish
- or for other media take any of the profiles from www.image2output-support.com for free
Edwin
MJ JM - 18 November 2009
Nice try Judd, one thinks you boys are struggling BIG TIME!!
One has to ask what Paul Willywipe has to think about you selling 3rd party media!! NOT GMG!!
Dave I must point out at least Dupont had a sales team that wouldn't try to sell there granny to make money!!!
Jon Fennell - 18 November 2009
[quote user="Chris Lavers"]
Hi Dave, what's a Dupont move? Can you point me in the right direction? Ta.
[/quote]I'm with you on this Chris is this an exclusive party or they going to let us in on the secret? they may as well be talking swahilli!.
non comrehende, guys can you explain, aslo kill the advertising it will get you no where.
To post comments please log in here