PENTAX and RICOH Announce Integration of Consumer Camera Products Marketed and Distributed Through PENTAX RICOH IMAGING AMERICAS CORPORATION
RICOH Subsidiary Maintains Distribution of Business-to-Business Camera Solutions
Denver, CO (April 19, 2012) – On October 1, 2011, PENTAX RICOH IMAGING (Tokyo, Japan) announced the formation of a new subsidiary company, PENTAX RICOH IMAGING AMERICAS CORPORATION (PENTAX), with headquarters located in Denver, Colorado. Effective April 1, 2012, PENTAX has assumed responsibility for the sales and marketing initiatives for RICOH AMERICAS’ entire line of consumer cameras, including the GRD4 and the highly-rated RICOH GXR. The line of RICOH-branded consumer cameras will now join the PENTAX point-and-shoot and interchangeable lens digital cameras (ILC), including digital SLR models, to create a centralized business subsidiary for marketing, distribution, and sales of all of the company’s consumer cameras.
The new strategy will allow RICOH AMERICAS to focus on imaging solutions for its business-to-business markets including real estate, automotive, insurance, and security. In addition, ruggedized models including the RICOH G700 and G700SE will be distributed directly and through a network of Value Added Resellers (VARs) to specialized markets. These markets include military, law enforcement, energy, utilities, and other applications where an extreme working environment is present, or the need to preserve the integrity of an original image is essential.
"PENTAX has a long and respected heritage in photography, as well as an established distribution channel," says Yuki Uchida, VP, Strategic Program Support and New Business Development at RICOH AMERICAS CORPORATION. "By integrating RICOH-branded consumer cameras under the PENTAX marketing umbrella, we are able to expand retail distribution of RICOH cameras. In addition, this will benefit RICOH AMERICAS by allowing us to maintain, and build, our portfolio of business-to-business camera solutions for healthcare, Geographic Information Systems, law enforcement, and other business needs."
Camera maintenance and repair for all PENTAX and RICOH consumer cameras will continue to be handled by its consumer camera repair service in Arizona. Similarly, consumer digital camera customers in need of phone support can call our toll free support line; a single, unified resource for all owners of PENTAX or RICOH consumer cameras. This support line has been optimized to ensure timely and effective resolutions for various support-related needs and can be reached by dialing 1-800-877-0155.
“We are excited about incorporating RICOH cameras like the GXR and GRD4 into our current product offering,” said Ned Bunnell, President PENTAX RICOH IMAGING AMERICAS CORPORATION. “The addition of these advanced enthusiast cameras will bolster our product line, extend the reach of our brand, and provide new options for our customers and retailers.”
Additional details may be found here: www.pentaximaging.com/news
