Pantum, distributed in South Africa by Kolok, is one of the world’s top laser printer brands.
The company operates in more than 110 countries and regions, and is the laser printer of choice for Fortune 500 firms and SMBs alike.
Pantum ‘s business scope covers R&D, design, production and sales of printers and consumables, together with printing output solutions.
Since the launch of the first Pantum printer in 2010, it has established a full industrial chain layout integrating key components, printers and printing management services, with products ranging from A4 to A3 , monochrome to colour, single function to multi-function, and hardware to solutions printing.
Mark Thurston, National Product Manager: Pantum at Kolok, oversees channel development, sales, marketing strategy and vendor relationships.
He has been with Kolok for the last 15 years, contributing to the growth of the distributor’s print and hardware business.
With 24 years of experience in the ICT industry, Thurston has worked closely with vendors, partners and resellers to build sustainable, value-driven channel ecosystems.
He unpacks the relevance of the brand to Kolok, the channel and end users.
A brief outline of Pantum solutions in South Africa
Pantum offers a range of printing solutions in South Africa, including mono and colour laser printers, multifunction printers (MFPs), and a full suite of original consumables.
These devices are designed with reliability, cost-efficiency, and productivity in mind, targeting home users, SMEs, and corporates, with seamless driver installation, mobile printing capabilities, and long-life consumables.
Pantum continues to gain traction in both the public and private sector environments.
What is the importance of the brand to Kolok?
Pantum is a strategic brand for Kolok, aligning with our commitment to offering value-driven, high-performance print solutions to the market.
It allows us to serve price-sensitive segments while ensuring consistent quality and post-sales support. As one of our fastest-growing printing brands,
Pantum plays a critical role in diversifying our print portfolio and meeting evolving market needs.
Why is Pantum a compelling proposition for users and resellers?
For end users, Pantum stands out for its affordability, durability, and ease of use.
Key benefits include:
- Low total cost of ownership;\
- Robust hardware; and
- High-yield consumables making it ideal for high-volume environments.
For resellers, Pantum’s competitive pricing and growing brand recognition offer strong margin opportunities, repeat business via consumables, and minimal return rates due to hardware reliability.
What value-adds does Kolok offer resellers?
Kolok brings several advantages to resellers. These include:
- A national distribution footprint ensuring fast and consistent stock availability;
- A dedicated sales and support teams for technical and pre/post-sales assistance;
- Marketing and training support to help resellers to position and sell Pantum effectively;
- Flexible credit terms and strategic channel programs to drive profitability; and
- Proven logistics capabilities, with next-day delivery in major metros.