Cartridge World is moving into its next growth phase after an agreement this week for an Australian-based private equity fund and the company’s management to buy a controlling shareholding from the two founders, Bryan Stokes and Paul Wheeler.

Wolseley Private Equity, together with Cartridge World’s CEO, Burt Yarkin, and current management in the USA, Australia and the United Kingdom, has agreed to buy 80 percent of the company.  Cartridge World’s business activities will continue without major change, although the company intends to pursue faster global expansion.  The headquarters will remain in Emeryville, California, with regional offices in Europe and Australia.

“We see considerable opportunity to increase our worldwide presence, by expanding the network we now have in place with our 46 master franchisees and adding master franchisees in fast-growing countries in Asia, Europe and South America,” Yarkin said. “The increasing use of computers and digital cameras is boosting worldwide demand for printer cartridges.  We plan to double the number of Cartridge World locations in the coming three years.”

Wolseley Private Equity’s managing director, Peter Hasko, said he was confident the already fast-growing franchise group could meet future growth targets, with Wolseley’s assistance.

“The most important aspect of any investment for us is the people. We are looking forward to working with the high calibre team at Cartridge World,” Hasko said.

Cartridge World is an international success story, having already grown to more than 1,500 outlets in 45 countries since it was founded in Adelaide, Australia, in 1987. It is the only global company in cartridge replacement and one of the fastest growing franchise groups in the world.  Retail revenues are now more than $350 million worldwide.

“Cartridge World offers comparable quality cartridges to original equipment manufacturers, at a substantially lower price, along with an additional benefit to the environment,” Yarkin said.  “The rising awareness of the need to recycle and reduce unnecessary waste is helping our business.”

Scope for growth is enormous.  In most developed countries less than a quarter of the printer cartridges used by business, organizations and homes are refilled.  An estimated 350 million printer cartridges go into landfills each year in North America alone.  A recycled cartridge can be refilled for approximately half the cost of a new one and refilling reduces waste and helps the environment.

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