Ricoh Imaging Americas Clarifies Parent Co.’s Statement on Camera Mfg./Sales

Ricoh Imaging Americas Clarifies Parent Co.’s Statement on Camera Mfg./Sales

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Ricoh-USA-Headquarters-Photos

Parsippany, NJ— Ricoh Imaging Americas released a brief statement clarifying an announcement from its parent company. Moreover, the announcement by Ricoh Imaging Co., Ltd., regarded a change in its digital camera manufacturing and distribution policies for the Japanese market. 

Statement Released by Ricoh Imaging Americas

The clarification was announced by Kazumichi Eguchi, president of Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation. Following is the statement in its totality:

Ricoh Imaging Americas Kaz-Eguchi 2020 State of the Industry
Kazumichi Eguchi

The announcement made by Ricoh Imaging Co., Ltd., on January 20, 2022 regarding a revamped approach to Ricoh’s digital camera manufacturing and distribution was specific to the local market in Japan only.

“Ricoh/Pentax will not change its distribution structure in North America; and the company has significant plans and goals for the North America market this year that will utilize mass production of its products,” said Kazumichi Eguchi, president, Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation.

“Customers in North America can continue to purchase Ricoh and Pentax cameras through our authorized dealers and directly via our website.”

Ricoh Imaging Co., Ltd. on Japanese Business Model

Noboru Akabane, president and CEO of Ricoh Imaging Co., had released an update on its business model. In a Japanese statement, he addressed how the company will restructure its digital camera business operations. The strategy includes incorporating a more digital, direct-to-consumer sales method.

“We will build a new business structure that enhances the two brand values of Pentax and GR; connects directly with customers by making full use of ‘digital’ methods; and further sharpens and deepens the attractiveness of both brands through ‘workshop-like’ manufacturing,” Akabane stated.

“I feel that the conventional method based on mass production and mass sales is becoming less accustomed to the recent changes in the market environment.” Ricoh Imaging Americas Ricoh-Imaging-Logo-2014

He added: “We will strengthen the online/offline contact points between Ricoh Imaging and our customers more than ever; and build a co-creation community that connects with each and every customer and activates mutual communication. In the future, we will expand opportunities for customers all over Japan to experience a wide range of Pentax/GR cameras and products.”

According to the translated statement, regarding the Pentax brand, the company will continue to focus on SLR development. “We will expand the range of various customizations to further reflect the needs of our customers and provide workshop value. In addition, we will build a system that enables manufacturing together with customers from the product planning stage through communication through online fan meetings,” Akabane noted.

Conversely, the GR brand focuses more on snapshots and social media. Ricoh wants to strengthen this community by revitalizing its social media presence as well as creating an offline place for GR photographers to communicate with each other and speak directly to Ricoh.

New Sales Approach

In addition, Akabane stated: “We will shift from a sales method centered on the distribution network via retail stores to sales via the Internet to improve the efficiency of business operations. In addition to our own EC direct sales site, we will also develop directly managed malls in major marketplaces to expand opportunities and places where Ricoh Imaging and customers can directly connect.”

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