Ricoh to Acquire Industrial Printer Manufacturer LAC Corp.

Tokyo-based Ricoh, a manufacturer of commercial inkjet printheads, large format printers and office imaging equipment, announces its purchase of Tokyo-based LAC Corp., which has inkjet technology that supports printing on three-dimensional surfaces such as the sides of cars, trucks, aircraft, tires and glass bottles.

Ricoh says the acquisition is aimed at strengthening Ricoh’s industrial printing business, which the company defines as one of three areas it’s targeting for growth.

Founded in 1983, LAC has unique technology that can discharge high-viscosity ink from a maximum of 100 millimeters, 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.

Ricoh announced its “RICOH Ignite” growth strategy earlier this year, in which it announced its plans to expand its printing technology portfolio. The company has been developing inkjet technology for the past four decades and today it’s used not just for office printing but also in commercial and industrial printing. That’s where the LAC purchase comes in.

Furthermore, it has been strengthening its “display printing” capabilities for paper and what it refers to as “beyond paper;” and its “applied printing,” which combines processes and materials to create new customer value.

Ricoh says that by combining LAC’s proprietary inkjet technology and Ricoh’s technologies such as imaging systems and manufacturing, it will create new value for its customers. In addition, Ricoh also says it’s planning to expand LAC’s offerings into new overseas markets, using Ricoh’s global network.