About Us
Southern Business Machines (SBM) has, for over 45 years, been providing office equipment sales, service and supplies to the Canterbury region.
The company was established in 1976 and specialises in Photocopiers – Printers – Faxes – Scanners – Multifunction office equipment and IT Solutions.
Southern Business Machines Ltd (SBM) has grown to be one of Christchurch’s largest privately owned and operated office equipment specialists.
Our Story
The acquisition of a Canon dealership in January 2006 has transformed SBM from a mid-sized business into a major player in the Canterbury region. With Canon’s specialised products and support, we offer the personal touch that only a local company can provide.
In addition to this support, we find solutions tailored to your needs and assist with your hardware decisions, whether you are purchasing, renting, or hire-purchasing through our in-house finance company, Mandeville Machine Rentals Chch Ltd (MMR).
Alongside our significant partnership with Canon NZ Ltd, we maintain long-standing relationships with other international technology leaders, including Brother, Ricoh, Oki, and HP.
Our goal is to provide customers with the best sales, service, and supplies to facilitate the smooth operation of their businesses.
From the outset, Southern Business Machines has operated as a wholly Canterbury-owned independent company and continues to do so today.
- Established in 1976 as CopyCat Distributors, The company originally sold and serviced Lanier and Nashua photocopiers in Canterbury.
- 1981, CopyCat was rebranded, and Southern Business Machines was created. SBM was able to bring to the South Island, Ricoh branded copiers and faxes,
- 1984, Southern Business Machines was purchased by canterbury stalwarts the Whitcoulls group who created 4 branch’s in the South Island.
- 1985, Southern Business Machines, became a Brother accredited agent, enabling it to sell, service and supply Brother products.
- 1986, Whitcoulls sold the business to local salesman and entrepreneur Grant Goile, whereby laying down the foundations for future growth and development.
- 1988, the then directors of Southern Business Machines created a company called Mandeville Machine Rentals (MMR). The conception of this company arose out of a growing demand for the renting, leasing and hire purchase of office equipment. Having an in-house finance company was to complement Southern Business Machines’ rapidly expanding customer base.
- 2002, the Company was purchased by the current directors.
- 2006, Southern Business Machines aligned itself with the Canon brand as a dealer for the Canterbury region, with full Canon NZ Ltd back-up and support, SBM has 14 service centres nationwide.
- 2012, Southern Business Machines added the Oki ES series of products to its range and became an accredited Oki warranty dealer.
- 2022, Southern Business Machines acquired Extel Communications, a telecommunications company with 30 plus years servicing the Canterbury region.
Being privately owned and operated allows Southern Business Machines the freedom to form partnerships for supply, service and support with other noted international technology leaders in office equipment such as –
- Canon
- HP
- Brother
- Oki
Southern Business Machines has a long-standing reputation for excellent after sales, service, unparalleled in the Canterbury Region.
45+ years
Southern Business Machines has been established since 1976
Sales & Service
Providing office equipment sales, service and supplies
Support
We can offer that personal touch that only a local company can provide
Solutions
We will work with you to find a solution to suit your needs
