Subject: Response to article in
the Nikkei and Asia Times
Many of you may have read an article that appeared in the Nikkei
Newspaper and on Asia Times.Com about Ricoh. Much of the information in
this article is incorrect.
I did give an interview to the reporter from the Nikkei Business
Newspaper. During the interview we discussed a number of issues
including our CVD Program and the creation of Ricoh U.S. The reporter
unfortunately did not fully comprehend all my comments. He
misinterpreted what Ricoh U.S. is all about, hence the incorrect
statement on the consolidation of three subsidiaries.
Even more upsetting to me was his reporting that there would be a 15
percent reduction in our workforce. This is not true. What I did say
was that by streamlining our operations, installing new systems we will
maximize our efficiencies, end redundancies, and with attrition, these
savings would equate to a 15 percent reduction in the workforce, not a
reduction in the workforce itself. The reporter also printed incorrect
numbers on our upcoming information system costs and implementation and
what we expect to save in the future.
Finally, the statement that Ricoh in the United States has been doing
lackluster business is totally false. I do not know how he could write
such an incorrect statement. At a press conference this week, we will
announce that, for the first time, Ricoh is the Number One Copier
Company in the United States through the BTA Channel. This incorrect
statement reflects badly on you, our valued employees, who have worked
extremely hard to make Ricoh Number One. And it is not reality.
We are in a difficult economy and all companies in our industry are
affected. But Ricoh has been successful and will continue to lead the
way with technology, products and the best people in the industry.
As you know, changes are coming for Ricoh through the creation of Ricoh
U.S. And with any change there may be cutbacks in one area or another.
I want to assure you that this article was incorrect and I apologize for
any problems it may have caused you. Any changes we implement in the
future will be well thought out and have the best interests in mind for
not only the company, but also our employees.
I am confident that any misconceptions stated in the Nikkei article
will, in fact, be shown to be false in the future.
Thank you again for making Ricoh Number One.
Kirk Yoshida,
Chairman & CEO
Original Post