Printer vendor predicts single-function slump

Brother Gulf has predicted fewer opportunities for resellers dealing in single-function printers as a result of form factor changes taking place within the sector.

The company claims that growing uptake of multifunctional centres (MFCs) — or MFPs as they are more commonly known — will result in 40% to 50% of single-function printers being ditched by Middle East organisations within the next three years.

“Multifunction centres are taking over a lion’s share of single function printers and copiers in the Middle East region, as many end-users prefer to consolidate their hardware and save valuable floor space in their workplaces,” explained Shinji Tada, managing director at Brother International Corporation Gulf.

“With so many organisations recognising the merits in acquiring MFCs, we are expecting the demand to continually rise, thereby putting pressure on developing devices that are in touch with the requirements of today’s office environment,” he added.

Brother says it has recently unveiled 11 new inkjet MFCs targeting the home, SOHO and SMB segments in the UAE.

A recent study on the regional printer market by IDC Middle East suggests a rapid decline in prices is one of the key factors driving MFP sales at the expense of single-function copier and printer purchases, as well as an increase in end-user awareness about integrated models.

IDC first quarter data reveals that HP is the runaway leader in the Middle East MFP inkjet market with more than 70% share, followed by Epson and Canon. HP also occupies pole position in the regional MFP laser market, ahead of Canon and Samsung.

Print | Email | Discuss this article

| Share |

READERS' COMMENTS

Click here to post a comment

Add your Comment All posts are sent to the administrator for review and are published only after approval. ArabianBusiness.com reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic. Arabian Business would like to point out that only comments relevant to the story will be published. Any containing personal insults or inappropriate language will not be approved.
Name *
Remember me on this computer
Email *	(Your email address will not be published)
City
Country
Subject *
Comment *
Notify me of further comments
Enter the words above *
Please click post only once - your comment will not be published immediately.

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM