What Lithotech does

Lithotech is a South African printing, packaging, and supply management specialist founded in 1970 and operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of Bidvest Paperplus, itself a division of JSE-listed Bidvest Group. The company runs a national footprint of nine branches spanning Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria, Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth, East London, Pinetown, Nelspruit, and Polokwane, supported by manufacturing facilities and warehouse infrastructure. Its core product set spans commercial printing (business forms, stationery, marketing collateral, election and education products), integrated supply management (online ordering, print and campaign management), labels and thermal transfer systems, office supplies, and an expanding biodegradable/compostable packaging range.

Underlying technology centres on multi-process print manufacturing: computer-to-plate imaging, thermal transfer printing, flexographic printing for packaging substrates, wide-format output, and collating/finishing systems for unit sets. Lithotech holds FSC Chain of Custody, ISO 9001, and SEDEX/SMETA certifications and has deployed on-site solar generation (approximately 281.6 kW across 512 panels) at its Cape Town plant, evidencing an ESG-aligned operating posture.

The business model combines one-time project-based print revenue with managed supply-chain services, consumable re-supply (thermal ribbons, copier paper, office consumables), and hardware sales (Zebra scanners and mobile computers, Labelmate handling equipment, Cubetape dimensioning). The go-to-market is sales-led through a direct field force operating nationally, supplemented by a B2B e-commerce storefront and online ordering portal for supply management customers. Customer segments are diversified across Retail/FMCG, Corporate, Government/Education, and Manufacturing/Logistics verticals, with the FMCG and packaging segment described as primary. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed; the company is embedded within the Bidvest Group's broader reporting rather than standing alone.

Name

Lithotech

Legal name

Lithotech (Pty) Ltd

Website

https://lithotech.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Lithotech is a South African printing, packaging, and supply management specialist serving corporate, government, education, manufacturing, and FMCG customers through nine national branches as a subsidiary of Bidvest Paperplus within the JSE-listed Bidvest Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Printing Services

NAICS

Commercial Printing (except Screen and Books) (323111), Printing (32311)

SIC

Commercial Printing (2750), Wholesale-Professional & Commercial Equipment & Supplies (5040), Wholesale-Paper & Paper Products (5110)

akta.pro primary industry

Printing & Business Forms (continuous forms, checks, tickets) (IMAMAHAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Direct-to-Container & Digital Printing (Inkjet/Laser) (IMALAKAF), Mailing, Inserting & Distribution Services (Addressing, Direct Mail, Kitting) (MPAJALAH), Corporate, Promotional & Custom Print Products Distribution (CRAOALAM), Ink, Toner & Printer Supplies Retail (CRALABAH)

Keywords

• Commercial printing services
• Packaging manufacturing
• Office supplies distribution
• Label printing systems
• Supply chain management

Headquarters

HQ city

Johannesburg

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Printing Services: Comprehensive printing services including business forms, business stationery, marketing collateral, education products, election products, integrated products, and commercial products. Revenue generated through one-time project fees and recurring print orders.
2. Supply Management: Supply chain management services including online ordering, print management, and campaign management. Revenue from supply procurement and management fees.
3. Marketing Material & Corporate Products: Printed collateral, corporate gifts, corporate clothing, workwear, and branding solutions. One-time product sales with potential for recurring corporate supply agreements.
4. Office Supplies Distribution: Distribution of computer consumables, labels, paper products, data storage, printers and hardware. Revenue from product sales with bulk/order capabilities.
5. Labels & Packaging: Specialist label products including computer labels, integrated labels, track and trace labels, thermal labelling systems, and packaging solutions including biodegradable options.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Lithotech manufactures and supplies commercial printing products (business forms, stationery, marketing collateral, education and election products), provides integrated supply management services, distributes office supplies, labels, and packaging solutions. It operates own manufacturing facilities using multiple printing technologies (computer-to-plate, thermal transfer, flexo, wide-format) and a national warehouse network of 9 branches across South Africa.

Product overview

Lithotech is South Africa's leading specialist in printing and supply management, offering a comprehensive portfolio of products and services. The core offerings include Printing (business forms, documents, stationery, marketing collateral, education and election products), Supply Management (online ordering, print management, campaign management), Marketing Material (printed collateral, corporate gifts, corporate clothing, branding solutions), Office Supplies (paper, consumables, printers, hardware), Labels (thermal labelling systems, track and trace, product labels), and Packaging (biodegradable packaging, folding cartons, paper bags). The company also distributes branded paper products (Discovery Copier Paper, Typek, Rotatrim, Logo A4), thermal transfer ribbons (Inkanto Access), and hardware solutions (Zebra barcode scanners and mobile computers, Labelmate label handling, Cubetape dimensioning, Botlr bottle labeller). A notable software product is Vlocr virtual locker for device tracking. The portfolio emphasizes sustainability with FSC-certified products and biodegradable packaging options.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Printing Services Comprehensive printing services including business forms and documents, printed business stationery, marketing collateral, education products, election products, integrated products, and commercial products manufactured at Lithotech's own facilities.
• Supply Management End-to-end supply management services including online ordering, print management, and campaign management with national warehouse infrastructure for corporate customers.
• Marketing Material Marketing materials including printed collateral, corporate gifts, corporate clothing, workwear and protective accessories, and branding solutions for businesses.
• Office Supplies Distribution Distribution of office supplies including computer consumables, computer and copier paper, data storage devices, desktop printers, envelopes, preset forms, roll products, and other office hardware.
• Labels Specialist label products including computer labels, integrated labels, track and trace labels, thermal labelling systems, price-marking and coding systems, tagging systems, and product labels.
• Packaging Solutions Packaging solutions including biodegradable and compostable packaging, folding cartons, header and blister cards, and paper bags for retail, fast food, healthcare, cosmetic and FMCG markets.
• Vlocr Virtual Locker Software Smart device tracking software for managing mobile computing ecosystems, featuring automatic tracing and auditing, real-time GPS location tracking, and Bluetooth beaconing.
• Inkanto Access Thermal Transfer Ribbons Thermal transfer ribbons for flathead printers including AWR1 wax, APR1 wax-resin, and AXR1 resin variants for various label printing applications.
• Botlr Bottle Labeller
• Cubetape Parcel Dimensioning System Mobile dimensioning device combining 2D scanning and digital tape technology for accurate freight measurement with millimetre precision.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bidvest PaperpluscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company of Lithotech. Bidvest Paperplus is a division of The Bidvest Group, one of South Africa's largest business services groups. Lithotech operates as part of the Bidvest Paperplus network which includes multiple printing and supply companies.
• Printing SA (formerly PIFSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic training partnership with Printing SA, formerly known as the Printing Industries Federation of South Africa. Through this partnership, Lithotech apprentices benefit from PIFSA's century-long legacy of industry advocacy and technical theoretical modules, ensuring artisans master the underlying physics and technology of print to highest national standards.
• Fibre CircleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLithotech is a member of Fibre Circle, the Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) for the paper and packaging sector. Fibre Circle is a non-profit organisation that facilitates Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programmes for paper producers and importers under Section 18 of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act.
• The Bidvest GroupcoreOthersLithotech is a subsidiary of The Bidvest Group, South Africa's largest business services company. Bidvest operates across multiple service and trading sectors with a focus on business-to-business services.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• CCL Industries: CCL Industries is a global leader in specialty labels, packaging, and digital printing. Comparable to Lithotech in label converting, thermal transfer ribbons (overlap with Inkanto distribution), and packaging, and competes for multinational customers operating in South Africa.
• Avery Dennison: Avery Dennison is a global Fortune 500 label and packaging materials manufacturer. Comparable to Lithotech's label business — particularly thermal, track-and-trace, and product labels — and represents the kind of scaled international competitor Lithotech faces in supplying large SA corporates.
• Smurfit Kappa: Smurfit Kappa is a global paper-based packaging leader with operations across Europe and the Americas, expanding into Africa. Comparable to Lithotech in folding cartons, sustainable paper-based packaging, and the FSC-certified supply chain, and represents a credible long-term competitor in SA packaging.
• Mondi: Mondi is a JSE- and LSE-listed global paper and packaging powerhouse with significant South African operations. Comparable to Lithotech in paper distribution, office supplies, and packaging, and competes for the same FSC-certified, sustainability-conscious corporate customers.
• Nampak: Nampak is Africa's largest packaging group, JSE-listed, producing metal, glass, paper, and plastic packaging. Comparable to Lithotech in the packaging arm (folding cartons, biodegradable packaging) and serves overlapping FMCG, food service, and healthcare customers in South Africa.

Direct peers

• Paarl Media: Paarl Media, part of Novus Holdings, is a leading South African web-offset printer specialising in magazines, catalogues, retail inserts, and direct mail. Comparable to Lithotech in commercial printing capability and SA-wide customer reach, particularly for high-volume retail and marketing collateral work.
• Novus Holdings: JSE-listed Novus Holdings is South Africa's largest commercial printing group, offering commercial print, labels, packaging, and tissue manufacturing. It is the most direct competitor to Lithotech in SA print, labels, and packaging, with overlapping customer segments in retail, FMCG, and corporate.
• CTP Limited: CTP Limited (formerly Caxton and CTP Publishers and Printers) is a major JSE-listed South African printing and publishing group covering newspapers, magazines, commercial print, labels, and packaging. Directly comparable to Lithotech in commercial print, business forms, and labels for the SA corporate market.
• Bowler Metcalf: JSE-listed Bowler Metcalf is a South African manufacturer of plastic moulded products, packaging, and personal-care goods. Comparable to Lithotech in the packaging and labelling categories, particularly for FMCG and retail customers across South Africa.

Others

• Bidvest Paperplus: Bidvest Paperplus is the parent division of Lithotech and includes sibling businesses in printing, packaging, and office supplies. It is the immediate parent rather than a competitor, but its scale and group purchasing power directly shape Lithotech's competitive positioning and cost structure.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCJ40x8vkPp_PMOLbIRfxDEA
• Facebookfacebook.com/LithotechSouthAfrica
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lithotech-south-africa
• Instagraminstagram.com/litho_sa

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lithotech