In the rapidly evolving world of print and imaging technology, the role of EOS manufacturers and remanufacturers has become increasingly vital as they use EOS, the Entrepreneurial Operating System, to clarify, simplify, and achieve their vision.

In the print industry they play a pivotal role in ensuring the availability of high-quality printing and copying solutions for businesses across the globe. PCL Direct Group is one such prominent remanufacturer of OEM quality multifunctional printers and consumables in the UK and is ideally suited to cater for the diverse needs of the printer/copier dealer network.

Reducing Waste

PCL Direct specialise in reducing waste, manufacturing responsibly, and saving costs by up-cycling Konica Minolta engine products, utilising genuine OEM cartridges, replacing the chip and re-filling with high-quality chemically processed toner powders from Japan and are remanufactured to OEM quality. PCL Direct also supply a full range of re-engineered, Eco Direct branded, MFPs, remanufactured drums, developer units, fuser units and transfer belts across the Konica Minolta A4 to A3 MFP range, making them universally compatible with Konica Minolta, Develop, and Olivetti machines.

Quality Control

Quality control is of the utmost importance and PCL Direct follows a strict procedure of multiple checks and live testing on all products and batch tests chips, toner and component parts. All remanufactured toner products are tracked throughout the manufacturing process and are recorded and tested every time new raw materials arrive. Their ‘build and test’ procedure allows full track and trace, and verification should any issues occur, or warranty claims be made.
 

Campaigning against "Greenwashing"

PCL Direct demonstrates total dedication and sensitivity to the environment which has earned them membership to ETIRA, the European Toner and Inkjet Remanufacturers Association this year. In June, Directors Ian McIntyre and Dave Higgott attended the 2023 ETIRA Conference where one of the topics on the agenda was "greenwashing,” the misleading practice of presenting products as environmentally friendly when they are not, and an issue PCL Direct feels strongly about as Ian McIntyre explained. "At the conference we held our heads up high because, when we joined ETIRA, they told us we were ideal candidates, to become members as we are 100% credible. In fact, all our toners are stamped with the certified ETIRA mark that differentiates remanufactured OEM cartridges from new OEM and non-OEM items”. 

Green Initiatives

Sustainability is integral to PCL Direct’s business and, under the Eco Direct umbrella, operates a collection service of used machines and OEM consumables from the channel, for use in their remanufacturing process. To date, Eco Direct has collected 2,247 bags of material, of which 53% has been actively used for resale with the 35% of unusable material sent to a 3rd party recycler. 12% of cartridges, that PCL Direct don’t use, were sold to brokers. None was sent to landfill.  Additionally, this year, any packaging which contained plastic has been replaced with biodegradable alternatives.

So far, PCL Direct has refurbished approximately 500 machines and there are plans to broaden the range with remanufactured Ricoh and Canon devices.  The introduction of Eco-Direct into the dealer channel has been met very positively and expanding in this sector is considered a crucial area for business growth; opening up more opportunities to provide the channel with a way to align with their own sustainability goals and save money for themselves and their customers.  

Driving the Circular Economy

For almost a decade, PCL Direct Group have been at the forefront of driving the circular economy. Their mission is to offer the market a wide range of re-engineered products and consumables that meet high OEM standards while remaining affordable. By utilising top-quality parts and toners, the group breathes new life into used and discontinued - but still viable - products.

PCL Direct's contribution to the channel goes beyond cost savings for dealers and their customers as the group actively promotes sustainability by reintroducing products into the industry, reducing waste and environmental impact; including the recycling of 68,000 toner cartridges last year alone. This means 68,000 cartridges were spared from ending up in landfills.

PCL Direct stands as an important industry leader, providing innovative green solutions that pave the way for future growth and remains committed to a role in shaping a sustainable and prosperous future.