EPSON OEM introduces packaged floppy disk drives; targets commercial distribution

Business Wire, Nov 14, 1994

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 14, 1994--Epson America Inc.'s OEM Division Monday unveiled retail packaging for its floppy disk drives targeted at commercial distribution in North America.

Included in the retail lineup are two 5.25-inch format drives, the SD-680L and the SD-780, the 3.5-inch SMD-340 and the dual 5.25/3.5-inch SD-880.

``EPSON is one of the largest suppliers of floppy disk drives to the OEM market,'' said Bud Weist, EPSON OEM director of marketing. ``Given that position, we are now expanding our presence to include commercial distribution.''

Recognizing the requirements of the commercial distribution channel, EPSON is offering high-quality products that are backed with a high level of support. Additionally, the drives are competitively priced, and EPSON has multiple stocking locations to provide distributors with fast turnaround times. As an added benefit, warranty repairs are done on either a credit or a replacement basis.

``Our commercial distribution program is designed to provide distributors with EPSON's high-quality, reliable products, as well as one of the industry's highest levels of service and support,'' said Weist. ``Our multiple stocking locations allow us to act as the `warehouse,' which lets us help our distributors better manage their inventories.''

The SD-680L and the SD-780 are both 5.25-inch format drives with formatted high-density capacities of 1.2MB. The SMD-340 is a 3.5-inch format, 1.44MB drive, while the SD-880 combines both 5.25- and 3.5-inch formats in a single, half-height drive. The SD-880 provides storage capacities of 1.2MB and 1.44MB, respectively.

All four drives are currently available. Manufacturer's suggested retail pricing is as follows: SD-680L -- $74.99; SD-780 -- $79.99; SMD-340 -- $69.99; and SD-880 -- $169.99.

About EPSON

EPSON offers an extensive array of technology products, including ink-jet, laser and dot-matrix printers, color flatbed scanners, portable and desktop computers and, for the OEM market, a variety of component and electronic devices, including terminal printers and mechanisms for the point-of-sale market.

Founded in 1975, EPSON America Inc. is an affiliate of Seiko Epson Corp., a global manufacturer and supplier of high-quality technology products that meet customer demands for increased functionality, compactness, systems integration and energy efficiency.

Epson America's OEM Division is located at corporate headquarters: 20770 Madrona Ave., Torrance, Calif. 90503.

CONTACT: EPSON OEM, Torrance

              Bud Weist, 310/787-6300 (media only)
                   or
              Base One Marketing
              Bette Dragoun, 310/792-1877