Ricoh arrives in digital production colour

The Japanese technology company is geared up to fight for a place in the growing and lucrative digital production printing market.

Its late arrival is compensated for by its initial digital colour engine, the C900, a machine that prints at 90 pages per minute. This is a sweet spot in the market where most of its rivals – Fuji Xerox, Konica Minolta and Canon – have marginally slower or much faster, heavier and more expensive offerings.

The so-called ‘digital lite’ sector is often regarded as the first entry point for commercial printers into the digital market. At 90ppm Ricoh’s C900 is top of its class with a price point somewhere above $200k.

Ricoh officially launched its contender at a series of presentations around the country. Perth, where there are already two machines installed will greet the road show this week.

 

In the highly competitive sector it is essential to back up any promises of quality and commercial advantage with service and support. Ricoh has assembled a power team led by Kathy Wilson, a high-profile industry identity recently returned from a long stint at EFI’s HQ in the US – pictured above with Les Richardson, managing director, Ricoh, at the Sydney launch. Other notables include Mark Katrakisnational business development manager and Franca Balsamo, national colour specialist as well as state and territory managers.

At the Sydney launch at Luna Park, Wilson made the point that the industry has moved on from the debate as to whether the future will be offset or digital. “It’s offset and digital, integration not displacement. We are seeing many more hybrid jobs out there where part will be printed on an offset press and then on digital machines,” she said.

She point out that though run lengths are getting shorter, the numbers of jobs are increasing. She believes the production speed advantage of the C900 and its undoubted comparable quality – 1200dpi – combined with the level of support will make Ricoh a serious contender in what is shaping up to be the battle of the digital production printing market.