Reported in imageSource by eSource on 9/18/2006
Duplo, USA made their entrance into the copier/printer market with the introduction of the Docucate brand at their most recent Annual Dealer Meeting at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas.
The international duplicator and finishing products manufacturer will initially offer the copier/printer line to its existing dealer channel providing them an alternative to their primary copier/printer manufacturer.
“Our desire would be to have our current duplicator dealers take on the Docucate product line as a positive alternative,” said Fred Simone, Duplo’s Director of Sales. “We’ve always viewed our dealers as the center of the universe and our goal from the start was to provide a dealer program that is unmatched in the industry, including exclusive territories where appropriate.”
According to Simone, the Docucate copier/printers will begin shipping in mid-September with the full line ready for shipment to their dealers by the first of the year. The products will ship from either the west coast warehouse in Santa Ana or the east coast warehouse in Georgia.
“A key to our success with our dealer channel has been that we listen and strive to build mutually beneficial relationships. The addition of our copier/printer line will only strengthen that,” added Simone, who has been a part of the office technology industry for over 45 years. “We have no intention of emulating Xerox, Canon, Ricoh or any other manufacturer. We believe the dealer has been left in a tidal wave wake by public companies and the manufacturers competing against their dealers with direct branches. Our intent is to be a positive alternative to that industry direction.”
Duplo’s entry into the copier/printer market has been very methodical and well thought out. It began three years ago with a management committee from Duplo determining the need for a new dynamic product that was compatible with Duplo and their customer base and complementary with their existing product groups. No less than six OEM copier manufacturers offered their products to Duplo, so the next decision was a pleasant one.
“We wanted an OEM that produced high quality products consistently and was committed to a long term relationship with us,” said Peter Tu, Vice President of Sales. “We required the full line of segments, a color product that was highly regarded now and in the future and competitive pricing that we could pass on to our dealers.”
Along with the Docucate product line and the potential of market exclusivity, Duplo announced other programs including a $1.5 million investment in their technical department, ongoing sales training at no charge, service training at no charge, Regional Sales Managers who work in the field with the dealer’s sales people and in the field Customer Service Representatives to further support the dealers.
Docucate dealers will also have extensive marketing support including a formal co-op program, new product press releases, advertising in various consumer trade publications, product brochures and comparison sheets and a new animated web site.
Duplo also took that opportunity to unveil their new finishing products to the 200 plus attendees. With the increase in digital printing and the fact that 95% of all digital documents require finishing, Duplo’s finishing solutions are well positioned to offer an excellent revenue and profit opportunity for dealers.
Founded in 1951 by Mr. Juko Shima, Duplo entered the North America market in 1979. Duplo has its headquarters in Japan and has USA facilities in Santa Ana, CA and Suwannee, GA along with additional worldwide locations in Korea, Thailand, Taiwan and the United Kingdom.
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