UFP
UFP is a privately held Pan-European distributor of print and IT supplies, generating over €1.26 billion in turnover and serving 25,000+ customers monthly across 6 countries as an authorised Tier 1 partner for 80+ manufacturers including HP, Canon, Epson, Kyocera, and Apple.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1981
- HeadquartersBradford, United Kingdom
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What UFP does
UFP is a privately held Pan-European distributor of print and IT supplies headquartered in Bradford, UK, with wholly owned subsidiaries and sales/logistics operations across France, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and Austria. Founded in Paris in 1981 and employing over 750 people, the company generated group turnover exceeding €1.26 billion and holds more than €160 million in group stock, supplying over 25,000 customers monthly at a 99% fulfilment rate.
The company's offering is structured around two product categories — Print Products (ink, toner, paper, ribbons, spares, and print hardware) and IT/Tech Products (IT peripherals, networking, storage media, mobile devices, office hardware, and gaming) — distributed under authorised or Tier 1 agreements with over 80 manufacturers including HP, Canon, Epson, Lexmark, Samsung, Kyocera, OKI, Ricoh, Sharp, Xerox, Konica Minolta, Brother, Apple, Microsoft, Dell, Logitech, Verbatim, Sandisk, TP-Link, and Netgear. Underlying technology is conventional distribution and supply-chain software: an EDI/eCommerce ordering layer, an online webshop at shop.ufpuk.com, and the UK's largest EOS (Original Equipment Supplies) catalogue of 10,000+ products.
UFP earns revenue primarily through hardware and consumables sales (distribution margins on genuine OEM supplies) and services revenue from wholesale and retail channel customers. The go-to-market is sales-led via dedicated account managers, with go-to-market motions targeting three verticals: European retailers (national grocers and high-street/online specialists served with category management and packaging solutions), wholesale/resellers (2,000+ resellers monthly with 30-day credit terms, vendor rebates, and EDI trading), and IT/tech resellers (buying groups and independents). Pricing is quote-based with free delivery above £250 and monthly billing on credit accounts.
UFP firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- UFP
- Legal name
- UFP (UK) LTD
- Website
- https://ufpuk.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1981
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- UFP is a privately held Pan-European distributor of print and IT supplies, generating over €1.26 billion in turnover and serving 25,000+ customers monthly across 6 countries as an authorised Tier 1 partner for 80+ manufacturers including HP, Canon, Epson, Kyocera, and Apple.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
UFP industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Print and IT Supplies Distribution
- NAICS
- Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing (3341), Manufacturing and Reproducing Magnetic and Optical Media (334610)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Computers & Peripheral Equipment & Software (5045), Wholesale-Hardware (5072)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Multifunction Printers (Print/Scan/Copy/Fax) (HDACAEAE)
Keywords
Where UFP is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bradford
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices6 records
Markets served
UFP business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Print and IT Supplies Distribution: UFP generates revenue through distribution of print and IT supplies including ink, toner, hardware, storage media, and IT peripherals. As a first-tier Pan-European distributor for major brands, they supply over 25,000 customers monthly with products from brands such as HP, Lexmark, Canon, Epson, Samsung, and Sandisk.
- Print Hardware Sales: UFP distributes print hardware including printers and scanners from brands such as Kyocera, Epson, and other OEM partners. They offer genuine consumables specifically engineered to work with these devices.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Monthly | Wholesale pricing through credit account |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
UFP product offering
Product offeringCore offering
UFP is a Pan-European Tier 1 authorised distributor of print supplies and IT products, selling ink cartridges, toner, print hardware, IT peripherals, storage media, networking products, and mobile devices from 80+ OEMs to wholesale resellers, IT retailers, and major European retail chains. The company operates dedicated wholesale and retail service divisions providing account management, supply chain solutions, vendor rebates, category management, and promotional/display support.
Product overview
UFP is a Pan-European Print & IT distribution partner serving over 25,000 customers monthly across France, Germany, UK, Spain, and Benelux. The company operates as a Tier 1 distributor for over 80 leading IT manufacturers including HP, Canon, Epson, Lexmark, Samsung, Sandisk, Brother, Kyocera, OKI, Ricoh, Sharp, Xerox, Konica Minolta, Olivetti, Panasonic, Toshiba, D-Link, TP-Link, Netgear, Logitech, Apple, Dell, Verbatim, and XP-PEN. The portfolio is structured around two core product categories: Print Products (ink supplies, paper media, print hardware, ribbons, spares, toner supplies) and IT/Tech Products (gaming, IT/office, IT peripherals, mobile, networking, office hardware, storage media), supported by Wholesale and Retail service divisions offering supply chain solutions, account management, managed print services, and category management.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Print Products Complete print supplies portfolio including ink cartridges, toner cartridges, paper media, print hardware (printers and scanners), ribbons, spares, and consumables from OEMs such as HP, Canon, Epson, Lexmark, Samsung, Kyocera, OKI, Ricoh, Sharp, Xerox, Konica Minolta, Olivetti, Panasonic, Toshiba, and Kodak. Sold to wholesale resellers and retail accounts.
- IT/Tech Products Range of IT and technology products including gaming accessories, IT/office equipment, IT peripherals, mobile devices, networking solutions, office hardware, and storage media from brands such as Apple, Dell, Logitech, Microsoft, Verbatim, D-Link, TP-Link, Netgear, SanDisk, Fujifilm, Quantum, and IBM. Sold to IT resellers and retailers.
- Wholesale Distribution Services Supply chain services for corporate resellers, buying groups, and independent retailers, including account management, cartridge recycling, credit service with 30-day payment terms, delivery services, electronic trading (EDI/eCommerce), managed print solutions, vendor rebates, and vendor resources. Wholesale team serves over 2,000 resellers monthly.
- Retail Distribution Services Pan-European retail distribution services for major national grocers, high street/online specialists, and regional independent retailers including category management, POS and display solutions, promotional solutions, and packaging solutions. Named retail accounts include John Lewis, Morrisons, Tesco, Ocado, WHSmith, Amazon, Carrefour, Fnac, and Auchan.
Quantifiable outcome
- 99% fulfilment rate ensuring reliable supply
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use UFP
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
UFP technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
UFP partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
46 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.
- OKIcoreNew distribution partnership announced for OKI printing products.
- Kyocera Document Solutions UKcoreKyocera named UFP a Tier 1 distributor for ECOSYS hardware and wholesale toner for all channel customers, as well as ECOSYS and TASKalfa fulfilment toner for Kyocera's authorised Servicing Dealers. This partnership reinforces UFP's commitment to delivering exceptional choice, value, and service to resellers.
- SanDiskcoreNew distribution partnership for SanDisk storage products.
- EpsoncoreUFP became a broadline distributor for Epson Home and Office Print after many years as a specialist supplies distributor. UFP now offers an extensive range of Epson hardware including printers and scanners.
- HPcoreUFP is a Tier 1 HP Authorised Distributor supplying genuine HP ink and toner. Long-standing partnership providing exclusive promotions, technical expertise, and sustainable printing solutions.
- CanoncoreUFP distributes genuine Canon consumables specifically engineered to work seamlessly with Canon printers, delivering performance and professional results.
- LexmarkcoreFirst-tier Pan-European distributor for Lexmark printing products and supplies.
- SamsungcoreFirst-tier Pan-European distributor for Samsung printing products and supplies.
- BrothercoreFirst-tier Pan-European distributor for Brother printing and IT products.
- XeroxcoreAwarded Xerox Distribution Partner of the Year 2018. Distribution partner for Xerox printing products.
- Network GroupstrategicAwarded Network Group Distribution Partner of the Year 2017.
- Integra GroupstrategicPreferred Partner status with Integra Group.
- HPcoreUFP is an Authorised Retail and MPS specialist for HP with long-standing partnership.
- EpsoncoreAuthorised Distributor for Epson products.
- VerbatimcoreAuthorised Distributor for Verbatim storage products. UFP is a Verbatim Premium Partner 2023.
- LogitechcoreAuthorised Distributor for Logitech IT peripherals including keyboards, mice, webcams and conferencing equipment.
- MicrosoftcoreAuthorised distributor for Microsoft keyboards and accessories.
- ApplecoreAuthorised distributor for Apple products, peripherals and accessories covering iPhone, iPad, Watch and Mac.
- DellcoreAuthorised distributor for Dell print supplies and accessories.
- Konica MinoltacoreAuthorised distributor for Konica Minolta printing products.
- RicohcoreAuthorised distributor for Ricoh printing products.
- SharpcoreAuthorised distributor for Sharp printing products.
- ToshibacoreAuthorised distributor for Toshiba printing supplies.
- KodakcoreAuthorised distributor for Kodak printing products.
- OlivetticoreAuthorised distributor for Olivetti IT and printing products.
- PanasoniccoreAuthorised distributor for Panasonic printing products.
- OKIcoreAuthorised distributor for OKI printing products.
- D-LinkcoreAuthorised distributor for D-Link networking products.
- NetgearcoreAuthorised distributor for Netgear networking solutions.
- TP-LinkcoreAuthorised distributor for TP-Link networking products.
- FujifilmcoreAuthorised distributor for Fujifilm data storage products.
- QuantumcoreAuthorised distributor for Quantum LTO media and hardware.
- IBMcoreAuthorised distributor for IBM tape storage products.
- XP-PENcoreAuthorised distributor for XP-PEN digital tablets and display products.
- DYMOcoreAuthorised distributor for DYMO hardware including label makers and embossers.
- FellowescoreAuthorised distributor for Fellowes IT supplies including workspace management products.
- FreecomcoreAuthorised distributor for Freecom storage products.
- Star MicronicscoreAuthorised distributor for Star POS printing solutions.
- PrintronixcoreAuthorised distributor for Printronix industrial printing products.
- PrintMatecoreAuthorised distributor for PrintMate alternative cartridges.
- SBS MobilecoreAuthorised distributor for SBS mobile accessories.
- AF InternationalcoreAuthorised distributor for AF International cleaning products for office equipment.
- AirchargecoreAuthorised distributor for Aircharge wireless charging products.
- Kuehne+NagelminorContracted freight forwarder for pallet and large volume consignments to Ireland.
- DPDminorContracted parcel carrier for smaller consignments to Ireland (below 30 kilos).
- FedExminorPrimary parcel carrier for UK mainland deliveries.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
UFP competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Esprinet: Italian-headquartered B2B distributor of IT products including printers, consumables, and peripherals serving Southern European markets, directly overlapping with UFP's print and IT supplies portfolio.
- Westcoast: UK-based IT and print supplies distributor serving resellers and retailers, directly competing with UFP in the UK market with similar authorised distributor relationships with HP, Canon, and other OEMs.
- ALSO Group: Pan-European IT and print supplies distributor headquartered in Switzerland with operations across multiple European countries, directly competing with UFP in wholesale print and IT distribution.
Broad incumbents
- Exertis: European IT distribution arm (part of DCC Technology) operating across multiple European geographies, distributing print and IT supplies at scale comparable to UFP.
- Ingram Micro: Global IT distribution giant offering a much broader product portfolio than UFP but overlapping in printers, peripherals, and supplies across European markets.
- TD SYNNEX: Global IT distributor formed from the merger of Tech Data and SYNNEX, offering print hardware and supplies alongside a much wider portfolio than UFP.
- Arrow Electronics: Global broad-line IT and electronic components distributor with European print/peripheral distribution capabilities overlapping with UFP's portfolio.
Regional players
- Computer Gross: Italian IT distributor serving resellers with print hardware and supplies, comparable to UFP in business model though focused on the Italian market.
- Datec: UK and Ireland IT distributor with print supplies and peripherals portfolio, serving resellers in a similar model to UFP's UK wholesale operations.
- Bechtle: German-headquartered IT systems house and reseller with print and supplies offerings, comparable to UFP in scale and geography though with a stronger systems integration focus.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
UFP social profiles
Digital presenceUFP compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
UFP financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
UFP leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
UFP subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
UFP funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
UFP M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about UFP
What does UFP do?
UFP is a Pan-European Tier 1 authorised distributor of print supplies and IT products, selling ink cartridges, toner, print hardware, IT peripherals, storage media, networking products, and mobile devices from 80+ OEMs to wholesale resellers, IT retailers, and major European retail chains. The company operates dedicated wholesale and retail service divisions providing account management, supply chain solutions, vendor rebates, category management, and promotional/display support.
Is UFP a public or private company?
UFP is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was UFP founded?
UFP was founded in 1981. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is UFP based?
UFP is headquartered in Bradford, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does UFP make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Print and IT Supplies Distribution is the primary driver. The others are print Hardware Sales.
Who are UFP's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Esprinet, Westcoast and ALSO Group. Broad incumbents are Exertis, Ingram Micro, TD SYNNEX and Arrow Electronics. Regional players are Computer Gross, Datec and Bechtle.
Does UFP have an API?
No public API is recorded for UFP.
What industry is UFP in?
UFP's product category is Print and IT Supplies Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDACAEAE, Multifunction Printers (Print/Scan/Copy/Fax). Its NAICS code is 3341 and its SIC code is 5045.