Canon targets bigger slice of large-format printer market

Canon is aggressively chasing Hewlett-Packard (HP) and Epson’s market share as it looks to increase its slice of the large-format printer (LFP) space from 4.2 per cent to 15 per cent market share, by the end of the year.

Canon has already appointed a former HP employee, Stewart Cobby, to UK sales development manager to join its LFP battle. Cobby joins Canon after five-and-a-half years at HP, where he was responsible for the large-format reseller accounts in the south of England.

Anne Sharp, product marketing manager of LFP at Canon UK, said Cobby will work closely with Canon’s LFP channel.

“The channel is a vital part of Canon’s LFP success. We will support our partners as they grow and expand their offerings to become even more profitable,” Cobby said.

“The main two verticals in the LFP market are CAD and graphics arts,” Sharp said. “HP is the market leader in the LFP space and is focused on CAD products, while Epson is the other main player and has a strong graphics focus.”

Sharp added that Canon comes from a graphics background, but launched five new LFPs this year, three of which are aimed at CAD customers. She said that Canon now has products that cover all aspects of the LFP market.

Mark Keeley, director of LFP distributor Velmex, told CRN: “We have been a Canon LFP distributor for more than two years. HP has dominated the CAD side of the LFP market until now. Canon is the first to challenge HP and I think it will achieve its growth target.”

laura_hailstone@vnu.co.uk