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From: Yolanda.Cruz@ricoh-usa.com [mailto:Yolanda.Cruz@ricoh-usa.com] On Behalf Of Sam.Ichioka@ricoh-usa.com
Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2006 7:01 AM
Subject: RICOH AND LANIER TO BEGIN PROCESS OF JOINING FORCES
To: All Ricoh, Savin, Gestetner, and Lanier Dealer Principals/Owners
Ricoh and Lanier to Begin Process of Joining Forces
Ricoh and Lanier will today officially begin the process of combining into one organization. I am pleased to share this news with all of our valued dealer-partners from coast to coast and offer you my commitment that the results will make us a stronger, more efficient provider of outstanding products and support programs to help your business succeed.
The Ricoh Family Group three-year strategic plan (FY 2005 through FY 2007) states that our objective is to become a Fortune 500 level company, providing the most effective return on customers' document investments. We’ve certainly made a great deal of progress over the past couple of years in that direction. However, in light of a rapidly changing marketplace and an increasingly competitive environment, we need to take action in order to become a more efficient provider, as well as to improve our overall market share.
Therefore, Nori Goto (President and CEO of Lanier), Tom Salierno (President of Ricoh U.S.), and I have jointly commissioned a number of working teams (with representation from both companies), which have been asked to develop recommendations on the best ways for Ricoh U.S. and Lanier to join forces. These teams have already started their assignments.
The teams will use the next two months to develop proposals and prepare action plans for combining our back-office and support functions within Ricoh and Lanier. Their target is to report back by the end of March 2006 with recommendations and proposals. Most of the recommended changes will occur during FY 2006.
We will also look at ways to optimize our dealer and direct field sales and service teams. However, no significant changes in these areas are expected until FY 2007.
While we are planning for the future, we have instructed all managers and employees that they are expected to stay focused on running our current business and to continue providing you with the highest level of customer service. As additional decisions are made regarding the integration of Ricoh and Lanier, we will keep you posted.
I sincerely appreciate your business, as well as your many years of support, loyalty, and efforts on behalf of our four U.S. dealer networks. More importantly, I look forward to strengthening our business relationship as the Ricoh Family Group enters what promises to be an exciting and successful new era for all of us.
Best regards,
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Susumu "Sam" Ichioka
Chairman & CEO
Ricoh Corporation
Phone : 973-882-2221
Fax : 973-673-6934
E-mail : sam.ichioka@ricoh-usa.com
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Original Post