Laser Printer Market Favours Flatbed Technology
MFD market grows 45%; Gestetner, Ricoh and Canon gain
The Indian laser multi-functional device (MFD) market is witnessing a transition from sheet fed to flatbed technology.
The trend July-September quarter indicates a steady growth in the flatbed category, while the sheet fed MFD market is declining. According to IDC estimates, the overall laser MFD market in the quarter registered shipments of 5468 units valued at Rs 608mn compared to 3784 units valued at Rs 265mn during corresponding period last year.
In 2004, the laser MFD market is expected to register an annual growth rate of 55.5% in volume terms over 2003. However, the value growth will be at a lesser rate due to decline in prices over the same period. The y-o-y growth for the flatbed category recorded a massive jump of 95.4%, while the sheet fed category witnessed a dip of 45.5% in unit shipments.
Among the vendors in the laser MFD space on a y-o-y basis, Gestetner, Ricoh, Canon and Samsung posted the highest growth rates at 214.6%, 108.3%, 144.8% and 83.9% respectively. Xerox improved its lead in the laser MFD market to 23.5% followed by Canon at 18.2% and Toshiba at 12%.
