From their website
Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 23 October 2006 -- Ricoh Europe B.V., a subsidiary of Ricoh Company, Ltd., today announced its intention to start the process of integration with the aim to reduce duplication and increase knowledge sharing. A clear reorganisation plan has been outlined to transform the Ricoh EMEA Group from a decentralised business model into a world-class pan-European organisation which will retain its multi-brand multi-channel strategy.
Integration will begin with the corporate regional headquarters of Ricoh Europe B.V. and NRG Group PLC, respectively located in Amstelveen, The Netherlands and London, United Kingdom. It is intended to have the new legal structure and new integrated organisation from 1 April 2007. Once the integration of the corporate headquarters is completed, the intention is to address how and when the Ricoh and NRG country operations will move to a single management structure.
The Ricoh EMEA Group will start to migrate towards this new harmonised structure taking advantage of projects which have already been initiated, to deliver process improvements to the back and front office to the advantage and satisfaction of the Ricoh EMEA Group customers. The first implementation of the harmonised structure and these process projects will begin with the United Kingdom businesses.
Very recently Ricoh Europe B.V. announced their intention to acquire the European office automation business of Danka. It is planned that this acquisition will be completed in the current financial year. Ricoh Europe B.V. will retain this business as a standalone operation and look for ways to achieve synergy within the country structure.
Over the past few years Ricoh EMEA Group began coordinating their Supply Chain Management (SCM) by integrating the activities of Ricoh and NRG into one European Configuration and Distribution Centre at Bergen Op Zoom, The Netherlands. The Supply Chain will be fully integrated to achieve even greater standard processes and efficiencies, with completion by 1 April 2007.
Sales Force and Services Automation projects have established a standard process for Ricoh EMEA Group, which is intended to be implemented into all of the European country operations over the next 3 years.
Mr. Shiro ‘Simon’ Sasaki, Chairman of Ricoh EMEA Group and CEO of Ricoh Europe B.V. explains, “Our vision is to be the Winners in the 21st Century and we know what we need to do to make sure we achieve it. In our increasingly competitive market place, we need to constantly strive to deliver superior customer service and satisfaction, find new ways to excite our customers, and ensure that we maintain a low cost, and highly efficient operation. All of these projects and change initiatives will help support and enable the growth of the Ricoh EMEA Group. I am confident that Ricoh Group is up for this major step forward and can achieve a combined successful EMEA business with the dedication, innovation and hard work of our employees.”
Ricoh EMEA Group states, prior to and during the entire integration process, work-councils, unions and employee representatives will be consulted in accordance with both local and EU legal requirements.
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