Canon expands global print marketing operation

03 November 2004

Canon is increasing its focus on the print market throughout the firm from its recently enlarged Professional Print group in the UK all the way through the organisation into R&D in Japan, with more staff services and products.

In the UK, the company is doubling the size of its commercial print marketing team and is currently listening to what the commercial print market needs.

It has started to expand beyond its historic connection with the BAPC and has been working with the BPIF. It recently took 50 BPIF members to a Canon event in Stockholm.

"I've been doing a lot of listening to the market to find out what skills we need in our pro team and what tools and approaches we need," said general manager for professional print, Wayne Barlow.

Part of its focus includes developing its own high-volume digital kit, which it buys from NexPress at the moment.

"We know we need high-speed and high-volume kit and Canon is specifying a chunk of R&D spending on the professional print market," said marketing manager professional solutions Adam Poole. "Canon has got commitment to home-developed, high-volume kit."

In addition to hardware the firm is working on new workflow, MIS and asset management software and from the beginning of next year will have a dedicated UK marketing manager for software. Projected growth this year and next is 40%.

Story by Barney Cox