Cartridge World
An Australian-origin franchise network supplying ink and toner cartridges alongside managed print, repair, monitoring, leasing, and related services.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Cartridge World is an Australian-origin retail and business-services brand focused on printer consumables and managed print support. Its principal offerings include ink cartridges, toner cartridges, cartridge refilling, replacement supplies, printer-related repairs, print monitoring, equipment leasing, and consultation for domestic and commercial users. Rather than operating solely as a conventional centralized retailer, the business has historically expanded through franchising and licensing, allowing local stores and service spaces to trade under the Cartridge World name. The business began in Adelaide in 1992 when Bryan Stokes established the Australian Cartridge Company. The company adopted the Cartridge World name in 1999, creating a more internationally usable identity centered on printer cartridges and associated services. Its first franchised store opened in 1997, establishing the expansion model that became central to the brand. The United Kingdom became an early international market; the first UK Cartridge World location opened in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, in February 2001. The UK network later grew to nearly 300 stores before contracting sharply, with seven stores reported to remain in the country by 2024. Ownership and strategic direction changed several times. Private-equity fund Wolseley Private Equity acquired the business in August 2007. In June 2015, Suzhou Goldengreen Technologies Ltd acquired Cartridge World. The subsequent strategy continued to connect consumables with broader print-management services rather than treating the brand only as a refill shop. In 2016, the company announced a strategic partnership with Samsung intended to support mobile printing and scanning services worldwide. The initiative reflected the growing importance of integrating printers, mobile devices, digital workflows, and service contracts. Cartridge World’s business model serves both households and organizations. For consumers, the proposition has traditionally emphasized convenient access to compatible or refilled cartridges and assistance with printer supplies. For small businesses and larger commercial customers, the proposition extends to recurring supply management, equipment support, monitoring, leasing, and advice. This combination gives franchisees several potential revenue streams beyond one-off cartridge sales, although the economics of the category are affected by declining print volumes, changes in printer technology, online retail competition, and the shift toward digital documents. The company reported approximately 600 locations in 30 countries in 2023. Its international footprint is therefore best understood as a network of licensed or franchised operations rather than a single uniformly managed chain. Cartridge World North America also completed a United States licensing transaction with Blackford Capital Private Equity in December 2019. Edwin Lui, who had held several positions within the organization, became Global Chief Executive Officer in January 2020. Publicly available reference material identifies Australia as the location of the global headquarters, but does not provide a more specific current address or a definitive current ownership structure. Cartridge World occupies a specialist position between office-supply retail, printer maintenance, and managed print services. Its brand identity is associated with cost-conscious cartridge replacement, reuse or refilling, and local technical assistance. The company’s long-term relevance depends on adapting that proposition to lower print demand and to business customers seeking integrated print administration rather than merely physical consumables.
History
Cartridge World originated in Adelaide, Australia, in 1992, when Bryan Stokes founded the Australian Cartridge Company. The original business was built around the supply and servicing of printer cartridges, a category that included both consumer ink products and toner used by office laser printers. In 1997, the company opened its first franchised store, introducing the network-based expansion model that would become a defining feature of the brand. The company changed its name to Cartridge World in 1999. International development began early. The first Cartridge World store in the United Kingdom opened in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, in February 2001. The UK operation subsequently expanded substantially, reaching nearly 300 locations at its peak. The later reduction of the UK estate illustrates the pressures facing specialist cartridge retailers, including changing printing habits, digital document adoption, online competition, and the changing economics of physical retail. Reference material reported seven UK stores remaining in 2024. The company changed ownership in August 2007, when private-equity fund Wolseley Private Equity purchased the business. In June 2015, Suzhou Goldengreen Technologies Ltd acquired Cartridge World. The brand continued to operate through franchise and licensing arrangements, with local outlets providing supplies and services under the wider company identity. During the 2010s, Cartridge World sought to broaden its proposition beyond replacement cartridges. In June 2016, Global CEO Steve Weedon announced a strategic partnership with Samsung to offer mobile printing and scanning services worldwide. The initiative reflected a wider transition in the print industry: customers increasingly expected printers to connect with mobile devices and business workflows, while print-service providers sought recurring and integrated service relationships. Around this period, Mark Pinner was identified as Global Chief Technical Officer and CEO of Cartridge World North America, while Edwin Lui, previously General Manager for Cartridge World Asia and the Middle East, became Global Chief Financial Officer. Cartridge World North America completed a US licensing deal with Blackford Capital Private Equity in December 2019. In January 2020, Edwin Lui was promoted to Global Chief Executive Officer after holding several positions within the organization. These developments indicate that the brand’s structure involved distinct regional operations and licensing relationships rather than a wholly uniform corporate retail estate. By 2023, Cartridge World reported approximately 600 locations in 30 countries. The reported network included franchisees and licensed operations providing cartridge sales, refilling, printer supplies, repairs, monitoring, leasing, and consultation. The company’s global headquarters were described as being in Australia, consistent with its origins. Its current public profile is therefore that of an Australian-origin international franchise and managed-print brand whose historical cartridge-refill identity has expanded into broader office-print support. Public reference material does not establish a complete current ownership chart, a definitive current executive roster, or a single detailed list of all operating countries.
- 2023
Global network reported at approximately 600 locations
[1]Cartridge World reported approximately 600 locations operating in 30 countries.
- 2020
Edwin Lui promoted to Global CEO
[1]Edwin Lui became Global Chief Executive Officer in January.
- 2019
US licensing deal completed
[1]Cartridge World North America completed a US license deal with Blackford Capital Private Equity in December.
- 2016
Samsung partnership announced
[1]Cartridge World announced a strategic partnership with Samsung for mobile printing and scanning services.
- 2015
Acquired by Suzhou Goldengreen Technologies
[1]Suzhou Goldengreen Technologies Ltd acquired Cartridge World in June.
- 2007
Acquired by Wolseley Private Equity
[1]Wolseley Private Equity purchased the business in August.
- 2001
First UK store opened
[1]The first UK Cartridge World store opened in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, in February.
- 1999
Business renamed Cartridge World
[1]The Australian Cartridge Company adopted the Cartridge World name.
- 1997
First franchised store opened
[1]The company opened its first franchised location, establishing the model used for subsequent network expansion.
- 1992
Australian Cartridge Company founded
[1]Bryan Stokes founded the business in Adelaide under the name Australian Cartridge Company.
Products and positioning
A locally delivered, franchise-based print-support brand combining cartridge sales and refilling with printer servicing and managed print solutions for consumers and businesses.
Printer consumables
Ink cartridges
Cartridge World supplies ink cartridges for domestic and commercial inkjet printers. The offering has historically included replacement products and locally supplied alternatives, with stores also providing advice on compatibility and replacement. Ink cartridges are part of the brand’s traditional retail proposition and are often sold alongside refill or recycling services.
Printer consumables
Toner cartridges
Toner cartridges serve laser printers used by households, offices, and commercial customers. Cartridge World’s toner business forms part of its broader office-print supply offer, supported in some locations by cartridge servicing, technical assistance, and recurring supply arrangements.
Print sustainability and service
Cartridge refilling and remanufacturing
Refilling is a central historical element of the Cartridge World proposition. Participating stores can refill or otherwise service eligible ink and toner cartridges, giving customers an alternative to buying a new cartridge and supporting the brand’s reuse-oriented positioning. Availability and technical scope may vary by franchise location and cartridge type.
Business services
Managed print services
Managed print services extend the brand beyond consumables by helping organizations administer printers, supplies, usage, and related support. The service model can include monitoring, printer maintenance, supply coordination, leasing, and consultation. It is aimed primarily at commercial and institutional customers seeking more predictable print operations.
Digital print services · 2016
Mobile printing and scanning services
The mobile printing and scanning initiative announced with Samsung in 2016 was intended to connect Cartridge World’s print services with mobile-device workflows. The partnership represented an expansion from cartridge retail toward digitally enabled printing and scanning support, although the available reference does not specify the full product range or subsequent rollout.
Brand decisions
2019
US licensing arrangement with Blackford CapitalM&ABackground
Cartridge World North America operated through regional licensing and franchise structures.
Action taken
The North American business completed a US license deal with Blackford Capital Private Equity in December.
Aftermath
The transaction further emphasized the regional and licensed nature of the brand’s operating model.
2016
Partnership with Samsung for mobile print servicesStrategyBackground
Print customers were increasingly using mobile devices and expecting printing and scanning to connect with digital workflows.
Action taken
Cartridge World announced a strategic partnership with Samsung to offer mobile printing and scanning services worldwide.
Aftermath
The announcement positioned Cartridge World as more than a cartridge retailer, although the available source does not document the partnership’s later commercial results.
2015
Sale to Suzhou Goldengreen TechnologiesM&ABackground
Cartridge World was transferred to a new corporate owner in the printer-supplies sector.
Action taken
Suzhou Goldengreen Technologies Ltd acquired the company in June.
Aftermath
The brand continued its international franchise and licensing operations.
2007
Sale to Wolseley Private EquityM&ABackground
The franchised cartridge and print-services business entered a new ownership phase.
Action taken
Wolseley Private Equity acquired Cartridge World in August.
Aftermath
The company continued operating as a franchise-based international network.
1999
Adopted the Cartridge World brandStrategyBackground
The business had operated as the Australian Cartridge Company since its 1992 founding.
Action taken
It changed its name to Cartridge World, creating the identity used for international franchising.
Aftermath
The new name became the basis for subsequent overseas expansion, including the UK launch in 2001.
Sources1 sources
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