JP Service Solutions Press Release 15/11/04

JP Service Solutions is a division of Johnsons Photopia Ltd., whose history in the photographic industry can be traced back 250 years. Johnsons Photopia has been associated for many years with the leading brands in the UK analogue and digital marketplaces - including Agfa, Mamiya, Ricoh and Kyocera, and continues today as one of the largest, independent distributors of photographic equipment.

JP Service Solutions (JPSS) has evolved into a separate division within Johnsons Photopia Ltd. to provide a real solution to the need for a repair and refurbishment process to manufacturers and OEM partners alike.

Drawing on an exceptional level of in-house expertise, built up over years of supplying, supporting and servicing photographic products, has allowed JPSS to define and fine tune the workflow associated with returned and faulty goods. These processes now incorporate returns management; refurbishment; parts farming; warehouse repacking and faulty unit repair/replacement; extensive in-depth escalated technical support; product warranty provision and Pan-European reverse logistics. Each process is modular dependant upon the customer’s requirements.

JP Service Solutions? uniqueness is defined in its approach to listening to its customers, understanding their requirements, providing an outstanding service while achieving agreed levels of customer service ? and all within budget.  JPSS now employs 40 staff and its output has grown so rapidly that the company has now achieved the status of being the largest independent repair company in its field with a total of 10,000 units per month being processed. With many new recruits from the mobile phone industry (in addition to its wealth of experienced engineers in electronic imaging), JPSS is now focussing its attention to providing a solution to the latest growth opportunity ? the digital camera phone industry.

Company Growth:

Since it?s inception, JP Service Solutions has experienced dynamic growth in the numbers of units processed during one month ? the average since May 2004 has now reached 10,000 units. The unit growth is proven in the year to date, year-on-year Sales figures for August 2004, showing an impressive increase of 79%. In order to deal with this increased demand, JPSS has recruited, and trained, an additional 14 Service Personnel over the last 12 months and invested in the ongoing training of staff already employed ? achieving 3 general electronic engineering NVQs, 3 Team Leader NVQs (the first of their kind in North Staffordshire) and 2 electronic servicing City & Guilds qualifications.

Chronology of growth for 2004:

During January JPSS introduced their ?Integrated Product Returns Management System?, which has been accepted as the ?industry standard? by major UK retailers such as the Dixons Stores Group.

February saw JPSS commence the provision of an advance unit replacement service to support Kodak?s photo finishing kiosk products.

In March, unit repairs to Kodak digital cameras rose by 51% compared to the January figure.

From April, Contax, a well established medium format camera brand also appointed JPSS as their UK service support provider for their range of products. Unit repairs to Kodak digital cameras rose by another 42% compared to the March figure.

Additional contracts were signed with Rollei, medium format and 35mm cameras, and Manfrotto, the leading brand of camera supports, during May and June respectively. WWL, a leading supplier of licensed products from cameras (including the Polaroid brand) to toys appointed JPSS as their technical support provider for the UK.

In August, Fuji?s UK Imaging division awarded the contract to ?farm spare parts? to JPSS after lengthy discussions with a number of companies.

This progressive growth firmly underlines the recognition, by many leading companies, of the professional services provided by JPSS.

For any additional information on Johnsons Photopia Service Solutions, please contact Johnsons Photopia:

Telephone: 01782 753300
Fax: 01782 753399
www.johnsons-photopia.co.uk