Ricoh to acquire LAC Corporation

IndPrint

Ricoh has announced that it has reached an agreement to buy LAC Corporation, a company with innovative inkjet technology that supports printing on three-dimensional surfaces eg on the sides of cars, trucks, aircraft and even tyres and glass bottles. This acquisition is aimed at strengthening Ricoh’s industrial printing business, which is one of its three growth strategies. The transfer of the shares is scheduled to complete on October 31, 2018.

Founded in 1983, LAC has technology that can discharge high viscosity ink from a maximum of 100 mm, enabling printing directly onto three-dimensional objects. Using its technology, LAC develops, manufactures, sells, and supports industrial printing systems for cars, liquefied petroleum gas cylinders, and much more.

In February this year, the company announced its growth strategy ‘Ricoh Ignite’, which set out its intention to enhance its customer base by expanding its printing technology portfolio. For over 40 years, Ricoh has been developing inkjet technology, and today it is being used not just for printing in the office, but in commercial and industrial printing applications in a variety of different areas, including lifestyle. Furthermore, it has been strengthening its ‘display printing’ capabilities for paper and beyond paper, and ‘applied printing’, which combines processes and materials to create new customer value.

The investment in LAC is part of Ricoh’s Growth Strategy Plan, and one of a series of strategic investments being made. By combining LAC’s proprietary inkjet technology and Ricoh’s technologies such as imaging systems and manufacturing, Ricoh will create new value for its customers. In addition, it is planning to expand LAC’s offerings into new overseas markets, using its global network.