3 minute read
BUILDING A BETTER PRINT EXPERIENCE WITH PARALLEL
Five Years inAn Interview with Parallel's Managing Director, Gavin
Auckland, on Building a Better Print Experience.
Congratulations on five years of Parallel! What inspired you to start the business?
Thank you! It’s a big moment for us. Five years ago, we saw too many businesses stuck in frustrating print setups - broken machines, poor service, expensive contracts. The kind of setup that quietly drains time, money, and energy without anyone really noticing until it’s too late. We knew there had to be a better way.
That’s why we built Parallel. We wanted to create a service that actually helps businesses - by making print simple, sustainable, and stress-free. We started small, focusing on local relationships and responsive support. No pushy sales. No hidden fees. Just honest advice and a setup that works.
What has changed since then?
A lot! And at the same time, not much. We’ve grown, for sure. We now support a wide range of businesses across Uxbridge and beyond. From sole traders to national firms, we’ve built long-standing partnerships with organisations that value reliability and transparency.
But our core values haven’t changed. We are still focused on doing right by our clients and staying flexible. Every business is different, so we never push a standardised solution. We tailor everything - from the device itself to the support plan all based on how that company works.
What makes Parallel different from traditional providers?
We listen. And we don’t overcomplicate things.
A lot of providers will throw jargon at you or lock you into long contracts without being transparent. We just don’t operate like thatour clients stick with us because they want to, not because they are stuck.
We also focus on delivering real results. We’ve helped clients reduce print costs by up to 40%, eliminate downtime, and gain complete visibility over their print usage. The support is quick, the setup is easy, and the pricing is fair.
Can you explain how your managed print service works for those who are unfamiliar?
Absolutely. Most people only think about their printer when it’s jammed, out of toner, or just plain not working. But behind the scenes, printers are often eating into budgets more than you’d expect - from overpriced consumables to wasted energy.
Our managed print service solves that. For a simple monthly fee, starting at just £60+VAT, businesses get a fully supported setup that includes the device, remote monitoring, maintenance, and automatic toner delivery. It’s proactive, not reactive. www.parallel-group.co.uk
Instead of chasing engineers or running to the shop for toner, you just... print. And when something does go wrong, we are there - fast!
What else do you offer beyond printing?
Quite a lot. Most offices need more than just print. We also supply and support phone systems, interactive displays, door entry systems, document scanners - the everyday tools that help teams run smoothly, especially in today’s hybrid world.
We also help clients digitise paperwork, which is crucial for improving workflows and staying compliant with GDPR. Even if you’re mostly digital, chances are you still have physical documents floating around, and we can help you manage them securely.
Sustainability is a big topic right now. What are you doing in that space?
Sustainability has always been a priority for us. Through our partnership with PrintReleaf, every page printed on one of our devices contributes to reforestation. We calculate page volumes and convert them into trees - it’s a really simple way to offset paper use without changing how you work.
We also choose manufacturers like Kyocera, Sharp and Konica Minolta, who are leading the way in sustainable hardware. Their devices are built to last longer, use less energy, and produce less waste. It’s good for the planet and good for your budget too.
What would you say to a business that’s unhappy with their current print setup but tied into a contract?
Don’t assume you have to wait it out. Many businesses think they’re stuck, but we’ve helped clients exit restrictive deals, often saving them money and improving their setup in the process.
We will look at your current situation, explain your options clearly, and help you understand whether a switch is worthwhile. It’s always your call - we are just here to provide the insight.
What’s next for Parallel?
We are focused on smart growth. That means continuing to support our clients with the same level of care, while expanding our team and service areas. We are also investing in new technologies to help businesses run even more efficiently - whether it’s print, scan, or communication tools.
And honestly, we just want to keep doing great work for good people. Our business has grown through word of mouth, and that tells us we’re doing something right. We’re proud of what we’ve built, and we are even more excited about what’s next.
Finally, how can someone find out if Parallel could help their business?
Book a free print audit. It’s completely no-obligation and incredibly useful. We will assess your current setup, identify inefficiencies, and suggest smarter alternatives. Most businesses are surprised by how much they could save - whether it’s money, time, or stress.
You don’t need to wait for something to go wrong. If you think your print setup could be better, we are always happy to have a conversation.
