Re-organization of Ricoh Imaging Systems Business

[odklizec]

Re-organization of Imaging Systems Business including Digital Camera Business

Tokyo, February 9, 2012 — Ricoh Company, Ltd. (President and CEO: Shiro Kondo, hereinafter Ricoh) announces an organizational change to its imaging system business including security system business and consumer digital camera business.
Since October 1, 2011 when PENTAX RICOH IMAGING COMPANY (President：Zenji Miura, hereinafter PRI) was established, Ricoh managed its global imaging system business under two brands, RICOH and PENTAX. Specifically RICOH brand digital cameras were designed, developed and sold by Personal Multimedia Product Company (hereinafter PMMC), an internal organization of Ricoh, while PENTAX brand digital cameras were designed, developed and sold by PRI.

In an effort to strengthen customer relationships and provide innovative products and services, Ricoh will re-organize its structure.
1.Effective date：

・April 1, 2012（plan）

2.Scope：

・Worldwide

3.New functions of each business unit：

・PRI: Consumer businesses such as digital cameras for B2C market
(This includes Ricoh development resources to improve capabilities and support Ricoh branded cameras )

・Ricoh PMMC: B2B businesses including security system business, and imaging solutions business for B2B market

February 9, 2012

Ricoh Company, Ltd.

[thelps]

- I have no idea what this actually means - I've read it thrice and I'm none the wiser.
Sorry --

[odklizec]

How I understand it (and in simple words) Pentax will now be in charge of development and retail of future Ricoh cameras. We can only hope, the brand name and typical Ricoh hallmarks will remain also in future Pentax-based Ricoh cameras.

UPDATE: OK, the things may be a little bit more complicated (but in a good way) than I thought I understand Stay tuned for more info.

[bertalan]

Yes, there seems to be some confusion. One site says Pentax is taking over Ricoh Media devices and another says Ricoh is taking over. Maybe it neither, maybe the new PRI is taking over both, who knows.

[Duane Pandorf]

If its any consolidation, whatever happens, my GXR will still work the same way every day the way it worked yesterday. My A12 M Mount will still work with any M Mount lens or Screw Mount with an adapter. I think the next time I turn my GXR on the shutter button will still work. The SD card still works, the LCD still works. In other words, I'm not looking for another camera as the one I have still has plenty of life in it and there's really nothing else I need other than a wheel barrel full of money to buy the other Leica lenses I can't afford at this time.

[Wyrleyrob]

As I read this it just means both Ricoh and Pentax consumer camera divisions will now fall under one wing instead of being split over two. Seems sensible but will it be like two worlds colliding? What we don't need is Ricoh brand dwindling to nothing and Pentax becoming the main line. As Ricoh owners and lovers I am sure we are all looking for the brand to continue and bring out more new product, in it's own in-imitable style. If the new Pentax K-01 is anything to go by, life could be very different in the future!

[Wiener]

How I understand it (and in simple words) Pentax will now be in charge of development and retail of future Ricoh cameras. We can only hope, the brand name and typical Ricoh hallmarks will remain also in future Pentax-based Ricoh cameras.

UPDATE: OK, the things may be a little bit more complicated (but in a good way) than I thought I understand Stay tuned for more info.

Hi Pavel,
any further news? As with all mergers and takeovers, efficiency and cost-cutting lie at the heart of it somewhere. Moving the research and development, and possibly also the marketing/sales under one roof would make sense and fit into the 'normal' model I describe. As always though, the devil is in the detail and if the Ricoh photographic section was of relatively low priority to the original Ricoh operation as a whole, then Pentax (who are much bigger in the field of imaging R&D, I would say) could be given a free-hand as to what goes forward from here...
Andy

[Wiener]

If its any consolidation, whatever happens, my GXR will still work the same way every day the way it worked yesterday. My A12 M Mount will still work with any M Mount lens or Screw Mount with an adapter. I think the next time I turn my GXR on the shutter button will still work. The SD card still works, the LCD still works. In other words, I'm not looking for another camera as the one I have still has plenty of life in it and there's really nothing else I need other than a wheel barrel full of money to buy the other Leica lenses I can't afford at this time.

Hi Duane,
in a sense you are not the customer that will keep Ricoh alive, however much you enjoy the GXR and however much you praise it. Your cash for future sales will not add to their profitability in the slightest. What I think this emphasises more than anything, is that Ricoh MUST produce products which will tempt the like of you to buy something with Ricoh stamped on it once more. I guess that could be some really innovative lenses to stick into the GXR camera module sometime soon! I am certainly looking forward to see what comes next...
However, I have to admit to looking quite posively at an A12 M and something really wide to go with it at the moment; is the 24-80mm A16 module not just a tiny bit to big???
But we will see!
Andy

[socket]

What I am really waiting for is someone to announce that you can buy Ricoh products at your local Pentax dealer.

Pentax is generally available here in Canada - but nothing Ricoh.

[Duane Pandorf]

If its any consolidation, whatever happens, my GXR will still work the same way every day the way it worked yesterday. My A12 M Mount will still work with any M Mount lens or Screw Mount with an adapter. I think the next time I turn my GXR on the shutter button will still work. The SD card still works, the LCD still works. In other words, I'm not looking for another camera as the one I have still has plenty of life in it and there's really nothing else I need other than a wheel barrel full of money to buy the other Leica lenses I can't afford at this time.

Hi Duane,
in a sense you are not the customer that will keep Ricoh alive, however much you enjoy the GXR and however much you praise it. Your cash for future sales will not add to their profitability in the slightest. What I think this emphasises more than anything, is that Ricoh MUST produce products which will tempt the like of you to buy something with Ricoh stamped on it once more. I guess that could be some really innovative lenses to stick into the GXR camera module sometime soon! I am certainly looking forward to see what comes next...
However, I have to admit to looking quite posively at an A12 M and something really wide to go with it at the moment; is the 24-80mm A16 module not just a tiny bit to big???
But we will see!
Andy

Well I am considering a second body and m mount as if the GXR Is discontinued I will want a backup. I'm really enjoying the manual focus M mount option.