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Ricoh dumps US dealer
june
07 Just one week after Xerox completed its US$1.5 billion acquisition
of Global Imaging Systems, Xerox rival Ricoh said that it is
terminating its relationship with Global Imaging.The move, while not
surprising, raises questions for some of the 200,000 small-to-midsize
businesses that Global serves across the United States, as well as the
thousands of local dealers and VARs that compete with Global’s 21 core
regional companies that sell and service printers, copiers and other
document management systems.As of May 31, all Ricoh contracts
with Global are null and void, and the vendor will no longer recognise
Global as an authorized dealer for its Ricoh, Savin and Gestetner
brands, says Ricoh spokesman Russell Marchetta. Ricoh will still resell
Global supplies and parts for three years, as per a contractual
agreement, but it will not allow Global to resell its machines,
Marchetta says.A bigger question, though, remains around what will
happen for Global’s multiyear state and local government contracts.
Ricoh says it will take over accounts it owns that were serviced by
Global either through its direct arm, Ricoh Business Solutions, or by
assigning it to another dealer. However, for contracts that Global
Imaging owns, Global dealers will not be able to resell Ricoh products
going forward.Xerox, for its part, says its working to make the transition as easy as possible for customers.
“The
leadership team at Global Imaging Systems is working closely with all
current suppliers to ensure that customer needs continue to be met now
and in the long term. We are aware of Ricoh’s recent decision and are
actively engaged in discussions regarding transition plans,” says Jim
Firestone, president of Xerox North America, in an e-mail.”Our intent
and commitment is to continue to provide all customers — including
small and midsize businesses, government agencies and others — with
the equipment, supplies and support they require.” Global had other
existing relationships with copier and printer companies before it was
acquired by Xerox, including Sharp Electronics and Konica Minolta.Sharp
will continue to sell Global products through at least April of 2008,
as per its contractual agreement with Global. Konica Minolta executives
could not be immediately reached.
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