Thursday January 8, 8:40 pm ET
(Adds Xerox, analyst comment, details)
LAS VEGAS, Jan 8 (Reuters) - Dell Inc. (NasdaqNM
ELL - News), the No. 1 personal computer maker, on Thursday said it signed deals with South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co.(KSE:005930.KS - News), Fuji Xerox and Eastman Kodak Co. (NYSE:EK - News) to expand its printer and imaging business.ADVERTISEMENT
Dell currently sells inkjet and laser printers under its own brand name that are made by Lexmark International Inc(NYSE:LXK - News). Last year is said it planned to introduce new printers that were made by another company.
Round Rock, Texas-based Dell has been pushing into consumer electronics, such as televisions, printers and related products, as it tries to find other ways to increase revenue outside of PCs and large corporate computers.
During a press briefing at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Dell founder and Chief Executive Officer Michael Dell declined to give details on the printers or their timing.
"All these companies have a wide array of intellectual properties which allows us to expand our presence in the printing and imaging market," Dell said.
Dell will continue to sell printers made by Lexmark.
Fuji Xerox, a joint venture between Xerox Corp. (NYSE:XRX - News) and Fuji Photo Film Co. (Tokyo:4901.T - News), will use its manufacturing and patents to provide technology based on Dell's specifications, Xerox International Partners said in a separate statement.
Stamford, Connecticut-based Xerox said it stands to gain "revenue generating opportunities" and can broaden its "market reach" through the huge customer base Dell offers. Xerox holds a majority ownership stake in Xerox International Partners, which will supply products to Dell.
Executives from Dell, Samsung and Kodak all declined to discuss the types of products that might evolve from the relationship with Dell. Xerox said the deal would help Fuji Xerox build upon its "strong patent portfolio."
Analyst suggested that Dell may license patented technology from one or more of the companies as it bolsters its slate of imaging products. They speculated that Samsung may be tapped for its low-end laser printers, Fuji Xerox for its high-end lasers, and Kodak for its cameras and docking stations.
"If you look at these guys (the new partners) they all are operating in places Dell isn't," said Larry Jamieson, an analyst at Lyra Research.