A1 Digital Solutions say cheers to the next 35 years

27/11/2019

AN ABERDEEN director was today toasting his company’s success — 35 years after it was formed over a pint of beer in a city pub.

When Lindsay Monro was hatching his plan in the Tappit Hen way back then, he had no idea of the success that would follow in providing typewriters and then printers in Aberdeen to offices across the North-east.

In the early days, he rented an office on a month-to-month basis, before relocating to Holburn Street, where he has now spent the past 32 years.

Wind forward to 2016 and Scott Buchan, who is by then running a rival printer supply company in Aberdeen, suggests teaming up.

Sharing the same mindset that customer satisfaction should be the number one goal, they amalgamate as A1 Digital Solutions.

Scott said: “I wanted to be part of A1 after hearing the whispers in the industry about the company’s sterling reputation — ethical, respected, trusted and doing things a little bit different.

“I believed that if we worked together, we could build a better and bigger company.”

Lindsay added: “Because each client is different, we tailor the specifications to best suit your business — whether that’s a short-term or long-term contract for supplying office printers, scanners and photocopiers.

“But we don’t stop there. As a business, we like to offer a bespoke package. That’s why ideally, carrying out an office visit is essential — to make sure we deliver the perfect solution for your company.”

Flexibility and communication are key.

Lindsay started out selling and servicing typewriters in the days of daisy wheel models.

He exhibited at the first-ever oil exhibition in Aberdeen in 1984, garnering an appearance in the original Roustabout magazine.

Lindsay Monro as he appeared in the first edition of the Roustabout Magazine in September 1981

The first location for A1 Typeserve Ltd — as it was then —was Greenfern Shopping Centre in Mastrick, where Lindsay operated from for a couple of years before moving to the current premises at 490-494 Holburn Street, Aberdeen.

A1 Digital Solutions is a real family affair. Lindsay’s wife Heather and Scott’s wife Jan oversee the administration and finance of the running of the business.

The company has a team of eight currently but are actively seeking the right individuals to help grow the team and the business.

There are no commission-based sales because the ethos is that the customer is the primary concern, not the deal.

A key partnership for A1 Digital Solutions is with equipment supplier OLIVETTI, now into its second century of pioneering innovation within the office equipment industry, a name which has come to symbolise all that is stylish and contemporary in design that sets it apart from the rest of the market.

Lindsay said: “Olivetti benefits from the link with its parent company, Telecom Italia and offers an extensive range of cutting-edge technology products, training and support to A1 Digital Solutions.

Scott, a former player, manager and now a youth coach for Inverurie Loco Works FC, said: “I always wanted to do something different, but to adopt an honest approach to the business.

“We are an established, local, trusted business with expansion plans in place for the next five years plus. There are exciting times ahead for of all us at A1 Digital Solutions.

“We have a fantastic business to build on and creating a fantastic future for our company and our clients — existing and new — is very much where our focus is.”

Chances are this Aberdeen printing company will be raising another toast 35 years from now.

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