Ricoh Corporation

More than 60 in-plant managers filled the room for a special seminar on digital printing at Graph Expo last week. They were a diverse mix, representing government, insurance companies, school districts, universities, retail chains and more.

The 90-minute session—co-hosted by IPG and the IPMA—yielded tons of useful information from six different speakers: three vendors and three in-plant managers. The theme of the meeting was digital printing, a topic of strong interest among in-plants.

Last Friday, Ricoh completed its acquisition of equipment distributor Ikon Office Solutions. Today, IPG learned that Canon has severed its retail dealer agreements with Ikon. Ikon will no longer be an authorized Canon dealer or service provider.

Though several in-plants’ Ikon dealers have reassured them they will see no cutbacks in service of Canon equipment purchased through Ikon, Ikon’s access to Canon’s higher levels of tech support may eventually be impacted. There may also be delays in getting Canon parts and supplies.

The In-Plant Printing and Mailing Association (IPMA) held its first online chapter meeting last month, bringing members together from all over the country. Though it was organized by the Portland, Ore., chapter, participants spanned the country, joining in from Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Indiana and other places. “This is really a historic first for the IPMA,” proclaimed Dana Bauer, of Fred Meyer’s Portland-based in-plant. “I think it’s going to be a great tool.” Future Web meetings will help IPMA members share information and help one another, he said. The meeting was facilitated by Ricoh’s Production Printing Business Group (PPBG), with Greg Cholmondeley serving as host.

IPMA President Debbie Pavletich and In-Plant Graphics Editor Bob Neubauer will facilitate a special breakfast session at Graph Expo. Titled “Digital Printing through the Eyes of an In-Plant Printer,” it will take place Tuesday, October 28, from 8:30-10 a.m. The topics have now been selected:  • How to Cost Justify a Digital Press: Xerox will show how to calculate ROI and savings versus outsourcing the work, as well as  discuss digital vs. offset break-even points and the volumes best suited to a digital press. • How to Market Digital Printing to Customers: Ricoh will show how to get customers excited about the possibilities so

To bolster its distribution capabilities, Ricoh plans to acquire Ikon Office Solutions, the only remaining large, independent, U.S. distributor of printers, copiers and MFPs. This follows the June acquisition of Danka Office Imaging Co. by Konica Minolta Business Solutions USA. The $1.617 billion Ricoh/Ikon deal, ambitiously targeted to close during the fourth quarter of 2008, has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies, though it still requires approval of shareholders and North American and European antitrust authorities. Ricoh Americas Corp., a wholly owned U.S. distribution subsidiary of Tokyo-based Ricoh Co., Ltd., will facilitate the acquisition by merging its own subsidiary, Keystone

In late June, Konica Minolta Business Solutions USA completed its acquisition of Danka Office Imaging, strengthening its distribution capabilities. Now Ricoh is about take the same approach. The company just announced plans to acquire Ikon Office Solutions, the only remaining large, independent U.S. distributor of printers, copiers and MFPs. The $1.617 billion deal, ambitiously targeted to close during the fourth quarter of 2008, has been approved by both boards of directors, though it still requires approval of shareholders and North American and European antitrust authorities. “Ikon has terrific strength in areas that complement Ricoh’s growth strategy,” says Shiro Kondo, president and CEO of

Last month’s TransPromo Summit in New York was certainly upbeat in its predictions for this new marketing technique. Keynote Speaker Barb Pellow, of InfoTrends, pointed to data predicting a 68 percent compound annual growth rate for transpromo over the next four years. Most of the speakers backed this up with case studies and research indicating that customers are receptive to reading relevant marketing messages on their statements and bills. The 300 vendors, marketers and printers in attendance were certainly primed to hear this. They received numerous tips on how to initiate and carry out transpromo campaigns. Dozens of vendors were on hand to discuss

In-plants were a main topic of discussion at a recent New York press conference held by Ricoh’s Production Printing Business Group (PPBG). Speaking in a hotel overlooking Times Square, Ricoh executives explained how the company has been gearing up to serve the needs of the in-plant market. They then introduced a 90-ppm color printer, which the company feels is perfect for in-plants. To emphasize how seriously it is taking the in-plant market, Ricoh even asked Program Marketing Manager Mike Loyd, former director of Louisiana State University Graphic Services, to explain to the crowd of reporters the unique challenges in-plants face. In-plants, noted Loyd,

In-plants were a main topic of discussion at a New York press conference on Wednesday held by Ricoh’s Production Printing Business Group (PPBG). Speaking in a hotel overlooking Times Square, Ricoh executives explained how the company has been gearing up to serve the needs of the in-plant market, and then introduced a 90-ppm color printer which the company feels is perfect for in-plants. To emphasize how seriously it is taking the in-plant market, Ricoh even asked its new program marketing manager, Mike Loyd, former director of Louisiana State University Graphic Services, to explain to the crowd of reporters the unique challenges faced

Ricoh Co. will erect a sign in New York City’s Times Square that will be 100 percent powered by solar and wind power. The electronic billboard, reportedly the first ever to be totally powered by natural resources in Times Square, will be located at the corner of 7th Avenue and 42nd Street.  The sign, which is 47 feet high and 126 feet long, will be illuminated by floodlights and powered by 45 solar panels and four turbines for wind generation.  By using all natural energy sources, Ricoh will reduce the amount of CO2 production by 18 tons per year. If there is not enough