Ricoh's Ikon acquisition

[Missy Frederick]

I'm looking for insight on how this acquisition might impact Ikon's current relationship with Konica Minolta. Everything I've read is focused on the negative impact that Canon has suffered, but no one has touched on the stability between Ikon and Konica. I'm shopping for a production printer, and the co-branded Ikon/Konica machine is winnning the race. But if Ikon will soon be ill-equipped to service this machine, I don't want to go anywhere near it.

Has anyone looked into this? I'd appreciate any information at all that might help me make an informed decision. Thanks so much.

 

[Internal_R&D_Analyst]

A major VP at Konica-Danka has told us that Konica will drop Ikon as a distributor. Oce however continues to be in very close relations with Konica and will continue to rebrand each others products including the C6500 as the CS650.

I would think this will become clear if Ikon does or does not come out with their own rebranded KM C6501.

 

[Damianc]

I'm a Canon rep--I suggest you wait for the imagePRO 1110,1125, 1135. The quality is beyond anything in the digital world. Seeing is believing, and I've got sample output that no one can touch. It's less money than the iR Pro 7110, 125, 135 150, and to be fair, these are far heavier-duty machines built for 5 milion per month. The imagePRO is probably for monthly duty cycles of 1 million or less (no official figures yet), and its sweet spot is probably 500k. Canon has a side-by-side comparison with Nuvera, KM, Ricoh, which I can send anyone who is interested.

 

[Island]

I would think this will become clear if Ikon does or does not come out with their own rebranded KM C6501.

Isn't this the just-released CPP 660 vs. the CPP 650 which was a C6500?

 

[Damianc]

Correction: I meant imagePRESS, not imagePRO

Correction: I meant imagePRESS, not imagePRO

The Canon imagePRESS 1110,1125, 1135, are probably designed for monthly volumes of 1 million or less, while the imagePRO 71XX can go to 5 million.

 

[Internal_R&D_Analyst]

Isn't this the just-released CPP 660 vs. the CPP 650 which was a C6500?

Island, you are right the Ikon CPP 660 is the new KM C6501 which is also the Oce CS665 Pro. Somehow i missed that press release if there was one. I guess we'll have to wait and see if Konica drops Ricoh as a seller, I should call a few contacts to get an update if the story they told is still true.

 

[sweatyclimber]

Missy, There are many flavors of that machine availible and depending on your area lots of choices for where to buy it. In my small town of 500,000 there are 8 people who sell the machine. If you were to purchase one with the KM lable, you would have the option of moving your service around. As for what I know on the topic, its not in KM or IKON's best interest to simply drop everything, but RICHO has made it clear that they intend to switch everyone to there own gear. I came from another mega dealer that was aquired. Our manufacture chose to "take over" by letting us choose which gear was better and if it wasn't there's, improve it till they win our sales.

My take is if the mentality is: "we bought you and you should now sell our stuff" your likely to have better service from a company who will start from the customer and role the sales cycle back up stream. Also with some of the industry's other uncertanties like GE for leasing and the anticipated changes at IKON, I think you would be happier if you chose a KM branded version.

 

[bartisimus]

Konica drops IKON

Konica drops IKON

I'm looking for insight on how this acquisition might impact Ikon's current relationship with Konica Minolta. Everything I've read is focused on the negative impact that Canon has suffered, but no one has touched on the stability between Ikon and Konica. I'm shopping for a production printer, and the co-branded Ikon/Konica machine is winnning the race. But if Ikon will soon be ill-equipped to service this machine, I don't want to go anywhere near it.

Has anyone looked into this? I'd appreciate any information at all that might help me make an informed decision. Thanks so much.

I actually found out yesterday that Konica has dropped IKON. Not sure what Konica is going to do for IKON in terms of service but I would imagine that IKON is probably scrambling to get something done similar to what they did with Canon. Canon has agreed to sell IKON parts for the next 3 years, and provide 1 year of limited technical service. Although IKON is telling their customers a different story! There are several options for Konica however, depending on where you are located. If you are in MA or NY, Usherwood Office Technology is now a Konica dealer and will carry the full line including the 6500.

 

[bartisimus]

Konica drops IKON!!!

Konica drops IKON!!!

I actually found out yesterday that Konica has dropped IKON. Not sure what Konica is going to do for IKON in terms of service but I would imagine that IKON is probably scrambling to get something done similar to what they did with Canon. Canon has agreed to sell IKON parts for the next 3 years, and provide 1 year of limited technical service. Although IKON is telling their customers a different story! There are several options for Konica however, depending on where you are located. If you are in MA or NY, Usherwood Office Technology is now a Konica dealer and will carry the full line including the 6500.

 

[Missy Frederick]

I wonder how vulnerable an independent distributor would be to losing its Konica line. I could go with an independent distributor rather than IKON, but if Konica has pulled from them, they might be likely to pull from an independent as well, considering Konica has its own distributor too. Maybe I should just try to buy from Danka instead.

 

[sweatyclimber]

I wonder how vulnerable an independent distributor would be to losing its Konica line. I could go with an independent distributor rather than IKON, but if Konica has pulled from them, they might be likely to pull from an independent as well, considering Konica has its own distributor too. Maybe I should just try to buy from Danka instead.

KM won't pull from independants. They need the marketshare that they provide. Before I left them the theme for the year was "the road to tier 1". Their goal is to be as big as canon or xerox. They'll only get there through better distribution. The reason for droping IKON is Richo's plans to convert everyone. When Global imaging was aquired by Xerox, Xerox left Global alone and let them continue their method of business. That being the case Global continued to sell and service the lines they felt were a best fit. Since Xerox isn't mandating a "take over" like Richo, KM still works with us and is activly trying to get us to sell more just like they always did. As for Danka... That's another company going through massive shifts due to them being bought by KM. I would still offer that KM direct or independant is your best road. If there is a Global imaging dealer in your location that sells KM I would take a hard look at them.

 

[bartisimus]

Danka

Danka

Remember Danka was bought out by Xerox. So you have to wonder how long they are going to be a multi line vendor. Canon dropped Danka within a few days of the Xerox aquisition. I can tell you as a former, very recently former and long time IKON rep, the Independents dealers, especailly the multi line vendors, have much more flexability and will offer better support to their customers because theri is less red tape involved with upper managment trying to 'hit" a number. I am not employed by a smaller but much more resorsful Independent dealer that is an authorized multi line vendor that includes Canon, Konica and HP, just to name a few. I would be more than happy to point you in the right direction, what state are you located in?

 

[Missy Frederick]

I'm in southeastern Kentucky. Thanks for your help.

 

[bartisimus]

Sorry

Sorry

Sorry Danka was aquired by Konica, but again they are going through some restructuring of their own so this could cause an issue from a billing and service stand point.

 

[Internal_R&D_Analyst]

Sorry Danka was aquired by Konica, but again they are going through some restructuring of their own so this could cause an issue from a billing and service stand point.

Correct and since then the Konica Minolta Graphic Imaging division and specifically the LD6500 device that they sell is now handled by Danka.

 

[bartisimus]

I believe this is an Independent Konica dealer in your area. I would give them a call and have a rep meet with you to get info about their company, their companies processes from a service and billing stand point and get a quote from them. I would also ask for some references as well.

Johnco Inc
212 N 20th St, Middlesboro, KY (606) 248-4159

 

[dpolglaze]

Oce CS665/Fiery

Oce CS665/Fiery

No one is buying Oce because we're not for sale, and we're an extremely strong and agile company that is 130+ years old. Now, the CS665 is a KM engine and our relationship with them is as strong as our company. FYI: With a product called Fiery Central we are going after--and have made sales into--the iGen and NexPress markets. Why? Because 4 X CS665 = 1 X iGen on price, and 2 x CS665 = 1 X iGen on speed. 65/ppm is nothing to make fun of and the quality and reliability is outstanding. Most--and I am assuming you represent most--shops don't need nor can afford the iGen or NexPress and all the baggage those machines come with. I am Oce's third level national color support specialist and have been in the graphic arts industry for almost 20 years. I have worked in depth with traditional and many types of digital systems. So, you might give us a shot, too, because I am on the support team! Call Jamie Dooley (sales rep in TN for a demo 615 554 9487) I do wish you the best of luck in whatever you choose!

 

[adewey]

Hello- Have you considered an Océ product? I work at Océ in the Recruiting Department and we really have exceptional products and services! All I would recommend is that you research our products a little further before making the big decision! I think you might find valuable information that you were not aware, prior. You can contact me directly at [email protected] and I would be more than happy to forward your information to a sales rep for immediate attention! Please let me know. If you prefer, my telephone number is: 203-365-7496. Thank you.

 

[sweatyclimber]

No one is buying Oce because we're not for sale, and we're an extremely strong and agile company that is 130+ years old. Now, the CS665 is a KM engine and our relationship with them is as strong as our company. FYI: With a product called Fiery Central we are going after--and have made sales into--the iGen and NexPress markets. Why? Because 4 X CS665 = 1 X iGen on price, and 2 x CS665 = 1 X iGen on speed. 65/ppm is nothing to make fun of and the quality and reliability is outstanding. Most--and I am assuming you represent most--shops don't need nor can afford the iGen or NexPress and all the baggage those machines come with. I am Oce's third level national color support specialist and have been in the graphic arts industry for almost 20 years. I have worked in depth with traditional and many types of digital systems. So, you might give us a shot, too, because I am on the support team! Call Jamie Dooley (sales rep in TN for a demo 615 554 9487) I do wish you the best of luck in whatever you choose!

Lets not take it too far... According to the recent financial reports OCE's income was down 95% when sales were only off 4% and the CEO Said: CEO, Rokus van Iperen stated that company’s business was “severely” affected by financial crisis “We will pursue our strategy including exploring of opportunities to enter in to new partnerships”

 

[Russ Gamble]

comparison

comparison

I'm a Canon rep--I suggest you wait for the imagePRO 1110,1125, 1135. The quality is beyond anything in the digital world. Seeing is believing, and I've got sample output that no one can touch. It's less money than the iR Pro 7110, 125, 135 150, and to be fair, these are far heavier-duty machines built for 5 milion per month. The imagePRO is probably for monthly duty cycles of 1 million or less (no official figures yet), and its sweet spot is probably 500k. Canon has a side-by-side comparison with Nuvera, KM, Ricoh, which I can send anyone who is interested.

I would like to see the comparison.
[email protected]