CONTINUOUS INK CARTRIDGE …… PATENTED

[Anonymous]

Exports, patented ICs key to averting competition
Taiwan’s Avcolor developed Color Fairy III continuous ink cartridges, which contain 90mL of ink per color container.
Makers
thwart sliding demand through reinforced export capability, models with
enhanced features and use of in-house designed ICs.
In spite of the
growing competition, slimming profit margins, and increasing adoption
of laser printers that are slowing down the growth of the ink cartridge
industry in Greater China, makers persist in expanding their export and
R&D capabilities. There are more than 20 small and medium-scale
suppliers of ink cartridges in Taiwan. Some makers, such as Winsom
International Co., develop their own ink and upgrade R&D and
quality control standards to match the quality of original brands.
Other makers, including Avcolor Technology Co. Ltd, design their own
ICs.
To counteract a downtrend, Taiwan makers are working to enhance
product features such as improved water and light resistance, and the
release of more niche products such as invisible ink, fluorescent ink
and monochromatic ink.
Hong Kong has about 15 makers of compatible
ink cartridges, most of which are also in the cartridge remanufacture
business. However, only five of them are considered major players in
the local market. Hong Kong companies engaged in this line face fierce
competition mainly from mainland China makers. When the concept of
compatible ink cartridges was first introduced, they cost 30 percent to
40 percent less than the original branded cartridges, but the market
has since become a high-volume, low-profit industry.
After the fast
surge and maturation of ink cartridges in 2005, the mainland China
market seemed poised for a downward trend due to the rising popularity
of laser toner cartridges. In 2005, mainland China makers shipped about
600 million ink cartridges, half of which were consumed overseas. This
year, makers expect production to grow to 700 million units with half
of them exported.
Small companies in the mainland are struggling
with the competition. Most makers have cut profit margins and
strengthened internal management to keep operation costs low.
After
the fast surge and maturation of ink cartridges in 2005, the mainland
China market seemed poised for a downward trend due to the rising
popularity of laser toner cartridges. In 2005, mainland China makers
shipped about 600 million ink cartridges, half of which were consumed
overseas. This year, makers expect production to grow to 700 million
units with half of them exported.Small companies in the mainland are
struggling with the competition. Most makers have cut profit margins
and strengthened internal management to keep operation costs low.

[Author]

April 6, 2006 at 11:25 AM