In May, Ricoh Company, Ltd. and Toshiba Tec formally announced a business partnership to integrate the development and manufacturing of multifunction printers (MFPs).
The two companies have resolved to agree to the integration, which will be carried out through a company split effective sometime between 1 April 2024, and 30 June 2024. The partnership will establish a joint venture with both companies as shareholders, focusing on MFPs’ development and manufacturing.
In a new amendment, the following was revealed: “Following the completion of consultation with the works’ council of a French subsidiary of Toshiba Tec, Toshiba Tec Europe Imaging Systems S.A., Toshiba Tec has decided to include its business of the development and production of multifunction printers in France in the scope of the Business Integration.”
The decision to integrate their businesses comes in response to the changing landscape of the office printing market, which has seen a shift towards digitalisation and solutions combining hardware, software, and services. The partnership aims to strengthen the competitiveness and business foundations of office printing device manufacturing. This will be achieved by consolidating the two companies’ technological strengths, expanding planning, design, and development functions, joint purchases for parts and materials, and utilising production bases.
Additionally, the collaboration will extend to the planning and development of new solutions, leveraging the technologies and resources of both companies. By integrating image recognition technology, such as barcode printers and optical and image processing technologies, the joint venture will work towards providing competitive, high-quality products tailored to the needs of customers and the global market. The goal is to support customers’ digital transformation (DX) efforts and enhance workplace productivity.
