Who Will Be #1 in Market Share for 2009?

Apr 22, 2009 10:03 AM
In the annual Gartner U.S. copier market report for 2008, Ricoh Americas Corp. (West Caldwell, NJ) holds the number one spot for a second straight year in the combined black-and-white and color copier segment with a 21.4 percent market share. Ricoh leads the pack for the sixth consecutive year with a 22.2 percent stake in the individual color copier market. In the black-and-white copier category specifically, it came in second with a market share of 21.1 percent. These percentages are calculated by counting only for copier/MFP models that are sold through dealer and direct sales, excluding models sold through the retail channel.
“By keeping our finger on the pulse of our customers document management needs, Ricoh is able to design printing devices that not only fulfill copying requirements at a low total cost of ownership, but also provide a value add by helping our customers comply with government mandated security and environmental regulations,” says Kirk Yoshida, chairman and CEO, Ricoh Americas Corp.

bandit -

I understand Gartner gave the prize to Ricoh for 2008. I am curious about next year (2009) since Ricoh bought IKON and is shifting away from Independent Dealers. Remember, this poll (and the Gartner ranking) is for the "BTA / DEALER CHANNEL." My money is not on Ricoh.

GMAN:

Ricoh does HAVE THE LARGEST distribution channel! Even tough dealers are upset, its the same with KonicaMinolta Dealers selling against KonicaMinolta Direct, Sharp Dealers and Sharp Direct, Canon Dealers and Canon Business Solutions.

The problem is not inherent to Ricoh alone. Direct Branches are giving stuff away and no dealer can compete when service, supplies and hardware are retailed at the price that a dealer would pay or lower.

Yes, Ricoh (with IKON, RBS, SAVIN, LANIER) still holds the #1 position as of end 2010 Q2 (April through end June 2010).

Yet, they are down -18% (in terms of Units) as compared to the same time period last year (2009).