Business Distributors

What Business Distributors does

Business Distributors Limited (BDL), trading as BDL Copiers and BDL 3D, is a New Zealand family-owned office technology provider founded in 1973 in Christchurch. The company supplies, leases, and services multifunction printers and copiers from HP and Toshiba under all-inclusive managed print service agreements — bundling equipment, consumables, maintenance, and on-site support into a single monthly invoice with a 4-hour service response commitment. BDL serves small-to-medium businesses, large enterprise fleets, and the education sector across seven regional offices (Christchurch headquarters, Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton, Tauranga, Hawkes Bay, New Plymouth), reaching the entire domestic market through direct field sales and account management.

The company's core technology stack is centered on managed print services infrastructure rather than proprietary IP: HP and Toshiba multifunction devices, HP JetAdvantage Secure Print (TLS encryption, pull-print PIN), HP Flow cloud-based document management, HP Wolf Security threat detection with self-healing firmware, HP FutureSmart automated firmware updates, HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing (additive manufacturing using nylon powder), and Samsung interactive and outdoor digital signage for the education vertical. BDL holds the role of HP Print Partner of the Year across multiple years (2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023) and HP Sustainability Partner of the Year for 2020-2022, validating its vendor relationship depth.

BDL's revenue model is anchored on recurring managed services and multi-year leases (3-5 year terms) on mission-critical office printing equipment, supplemented by direct hardware sales, consumables and paper supply, service contracts, and — most recently — fee-per-build 3D printing services through BDL 3D. The customer base spans education (Albany School, Papanui High School, Life Education Trust), enterprise (Scales Corporation, Hellers), and SMB across New Zealand. Distribution is exclusively direct via the regional office network and account managers; no e-commerce or self-service channels. BDL is privately held, has never raised institutional capital, and is in its second generation of Huston family management.

Name

Business Distributors

Legal name

Business Distributors Ltd

Website

https://bdlcopiers.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Business Distributors Limited (BDL) is a New Zealand family-owned office technology provider supplying HP and Toshiba printers, copiers, and managed print services across seven regional offices, serving SMBs, enterprises, and the education sector since 1973.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Managed Print Services

NAICS

Office Equipment Merchant Wholesalers (42342)

SIC

Service Industries For The Printing Trade (2790)

akta.pro primary industry

Print & Peripheral Services (Managed Print, scanners, peripherals) (BPAEAIAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Managed Print Hardware (Fleet/Departmental Printers) (HDACAEAK)

Keywords

• Managed print services
• Printer leasing
• Multifunction printers
• Document management
• 3D printing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Sydenham

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Managed Print Services: Core revenue stream from all-inclusive monthly managed service agreements covering equipment leasing, consumables (toner/ink), maintenance, repairs, and technical support. Billed as predictable monthly overhead with no surprise costs. Can bundle hardware, software, and other IT equipment onto single invoice.
2. Printer and Copier Leasing: Equipment leasing revenue from 3-5 year lease agreements on HP and Toshiba multifunction printers and copiers. Includes options to upgrade during contract term, add equipment, and transition to new technology at lease end.
3. 3D Printing Services: Additive manufacturing revenue from HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing for functional prototypes, bespoke products, and small batch production runs. Pricing quoted per individual build with competitive rates for overnight turnaround.
4. Hardware Sales: Direct purchase option for printers and copiers alongside leasing. Sale of paper supplies, accessories, and consumables to owned-equipment customers.
5. Service and Support Contracts: Ongoing service contract revenue for equipment maintenance, repairs, and consumable supplies. Covers mechanical breakdowns and scheduled maintenance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Business Distributors Limited supplies office printing technology and managed print services across New Zealand, offering HP and Toshiba multifunction printers/copiers, 3D printing services via HP Multi Jet Fusion, and Samsung interactive and outdoor displays. The core offering is all-inclusive managed print services where customers pay a single monthly invoice covering equipment lease, consumables (toner/ink), maintenance, mechanical repairs, and on-site support on multi-year contracts.

Product overview

BDL Copiers operates as a managed print services provider offering a unified portfolio of printing, copying, and 3D printing solutions. The core offering combines HP and Toshiba multifunction printers/copiers with all-inclusive leasing agreements covering hardware, consumables, maintenance, and support. Product range spans from entry-level HP LaserJet Managed E40040dn (40 ppm monochrome) and HP Color LaserJet Managed MFP E47528f (27 ppm A4 color) to mid-range HP Color LaserJet Managed MFP E786 Series (35 ppm A3) and HP Color LaserJet Enterprise MFP X57945dn (45 ppm A3) to flagship HP Color LaserJet Managed MFP E877 Series (70 ppm A3) with HP Wolf Security. Complementing printers, BDL offers 3D Printing Services using HP Multi Jet Fusion technology, Samsung Interactive Displays for education, Outdoor/Semi-Outdoor Digital Signage, Document Management Software, Paper Supplies (PaperOne, AquaAce), and Cartridge Recycling through HP Planet Partners. The integrated product ecosystem is available through flexible leasing with single monthly invoicing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BDL 3D: 3D printing services using HP Multi Jet Fusion technology for prototyping and small production runs.

Products and services

• Managed Print Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 4-hour service response time commitment
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Trees that CountminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Environmental partnership where BDL gifts native trees to New Zealand for every printer sold. Trees that Count is a New Zealand conservation initiative supporting reforestation. BDL has gifted over 2000 trees to date, contributing to native habitat restoration and carbon sequestration.
• EvnexminorOthers · 1 January 2019Local Christchurch company that designed and manufactured EV charging points installed at BDL head office. 5 Evnex 22kW charge points installed for fleet EV charging with CP Link software for cost tracking.
• HP (Hewlett Packard)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2018Flagship technology partnership since 2018 for HP A3 printers and multifunction devices. HP approached BDL to partner for SME market penetration. HP's aggressive strategy to gain market share through dealer model aligned with BDL's strong local track record. Partnership offers HP's global innovation and resources combined with BDL's local family business values and customer relationships. BDL holds HP Print Partner of the Year multiple times (2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023) and Sustainability Partner of the Year (2020-2022).
• ToshibacoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2018Long-standing technology partnership for Toshiba multifunction copiers and printing systems. BDL was largest Toshiba dealership in Australasia. Provides complete range of Toshiba A3 MFPs from low to high volume for diverse business needs.
• HP Planet PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHP's free cartridge recycling programme for HP printer customers. BDL promotes and facilitates customer registration for responsible HP cartridge recycling. Collected cartridges are processed for recycling.
• Kilmarnock EnterprisesminorOthersLocal e-waste recycling partner in Christchurch since at least 1998. Handles hardware end-of-life processing and recycling for BDL equipment.
• RE:mobile, Sims Metals, Molten Media TrustminorOthersRecycling partners for hardware end-of-life processing. Equipment is stripped of reusable components in BDL workshop, then recycled through local branches of these organisations. Complex breakdown process handles different material types appropriately.
• APRIL (Asia Pacific Resources International Holdings Limited)minorOthersPaper and supplies supplier with sustainable forest management credentials. APRIL operates mosaic plantation concept balancing conservation and production. Certified under LEI for sustainable plantation forest management with HCVF protection commitments.
• HP Amplify ImpactminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHP's sustainability partnership programme where BDL achieved Catalyst 3-Star Partner status. Focuses on environmental impact measurement and sustainability journey continuation.
• Emirates Team New ZealandminorOthersHP sponsorship connection through HP's technology partnership with Emirates Team New Zealand America's Cup campaign. HP 3D printing technology powers components for the racing yacht.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Lexmark New Zealand: Lexmark sells managed print services and hardware in NZ through direct and channel models. Same vendor-leveraged MPS play as BDL, targeting medium and large organizations with fleet management.
• Sharp New Zealand: Sharp sells and services multifunction printers and managed print solutions across NZ. Directly competes with BDL in the SME and education segments with comparable A3 MFP hardware and service contracts.
• Ricoh New Zealand: Global MPS and printer/copier vendor with a New Zealand direct operation. Competes head-to-head with BDL on managed print contracts, hardware leasing, and document management services across enterprise and SMB.
• FUJIFILM Business Innovation New Zealand: Fuji Xerox's successor in NZ offers managed print services and multifunction devices directly competing with BDL in the same SME and enterprise segments. As a multinational OEM-led MPS provider, it is the closest direct competitor in product and customer base.
• Kyocera Document Solutions New Zealand: Kyocera provides managed print services and printer hardware in the ANZ region. Competes on similar cost-per-page and leased-fleet models targeting NZ businesses with comparable mid-volume MFP offerings.
• Konica Minolta New Zealand: Operates a New Zealand managed print services business selling and leasing Konica Minolta MFPs. Directly comparable to BDL in targeting mid-market and enterprise customers with bundled service agreements.

Emerging players

• Datacom New Zealand: Large NZ IT services provider with a broader managed-services portfolio that increasingly bundles print management for enterprise and government. Adjacent competitor that could pull managed print into wider IT outsourcing deals.
• Brother International New Zealand: Brother sells printers and managed print solutions in NZ, particularly strong in SMB and SOHO segments. While traditionally smaller-scale than BDL, it competes in the same lower-volume end of the market.

Broad incumbents

• Canon New Zealand: Global imaging and printing incumbent with an NZ subsidiary selling printers, copiers, and document solutions. Larger and broader portfolio than BDL, but overlaps materially in the office MFP and managed print segments.
• HP New Zealand (Direct / HP Amplify): BDL's flagship technology partner also sells printers and managed services directly to large enterprise and government accounts. As BDL's primary supplier, HP's direct-sales motion in NZ is both a partnership and a competitive threat.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/bdlcopiers
• Instagraminstagram.com/bdlcopiers
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bdlcopiers

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 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 Business Distributors