Fujitsu, Lexmark sign strategic alliance; companies to cooperate across a broad spectrum

Business Wire, Oct 6, 1995

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 6, 1995--Fujitsu Limited and Lexmark International Inc. today announced a broad based agreement that calls for cooperation across a wide spectrum of printers and printer-related products and business areas.

The alliance agreement was formally launched by the signing of a memorandum of understanding at Fujitsu earlier today.

The memorandum outlines four key initiatives:

o A commitment to co-logo a range of inkjet printers in Japan;

o The selective bundling of co-logo'd printers with Fujitsu

DeskPower PCs;

o Joint discussions on the co-development of laser-based products

including Lexmark's Markvision software (single byte and

double byte); and

o The formation of an executive level steering committee to

oversee the relationship.

The printers and related supplies will be branded as "Fujitsu/Lexmark." Lexmark and Fujitsu have already developed double-byte character capability for the inkjet printers, which is necessary to print the Japanese characters and support key Japanese applications. The printers will be produced at Lexmark's manufacturing facility in Lexington, Ky., USA.

"Lexmark's expertise in development of inkjet and other printing technologies combined with the power of Fujitsu's PCs will bring new capabilities to Japanese computer users," said Marvin Mann, Lexmark chairman and CEO.

"This is a key relationship and another step in our ongoing commitment to develop our business in Japan," Mann added. "We are delighted to establish this strategic partnership with a company as prestigious and innovative as Fujitsu."

"Fujitsu sees this step in our relationship as an important element in strengthening an already strong position in the PC and printer market," said Mikio Ohtsuki, senior executive vice president of Fujitsu Limited. "Our continuing discussions on technology cooperation are expected to lead to new, innovative products that provide superior solutions in the Japanese market."

"With this alliance, Lexmark has made another significant step in building its overall business in the Asia Pacific region," added Michael J.T. Steep, general manager of World Wide Business Development at Lexmark. "Japan is our strategic anchor in Asia. By entering this alliance with Fujitsu, we combine the strengths of two independent technology leaders to change the market dynamics in Japan."

Lexmark is a global developer, manufacturer and supplier of laser and inkjet printers and associated consumable supplies for the office and home markets. Lexmark also sells serial wire matrix printers. In addition to its core printer business, Lexmark develops and manufactures a broad line of other office imaging products, including supplies for original equipment manufacturer products, typewriters and typewriter supplies.

Lexmark is a former division of IBM and was acquired in 1991 by a group of investors led by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Inc., a New York investment firm. In addition to the Kentucky site, the company's manufacturing facilities are located in Boulder, Colo., USA; Orleans, France; and Sydney, Australia. Its executive offices are located in Greenwich, Conn., USA.

Fujitsu Limited is the world's second-largest computer manufacturer and an international leader in telecommunications, semiconductors and other electronic devices. The Fujitsu Group, comprised of over 400 technology, software and service companies, posted global revenues of more than $36 billion last year. Fujitsu's headquarters are in Tokyo, Japan.

Product information and press releases can be found on the Lexmark home page at http://www.lexmark.com on the Internet. Fujitsu information can be found at home pages http://www.fujitsu.co.jp/ (Japanese) and http://www.fujitsu.co.jp/index-e.html (English) on the Internet.

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Note to editors: Lexmark is a trademark of Lexmark International Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.

CONTACT: Lexmark International

Jim Joseph, 606/232-2249

jmjoseph@lexmark.com

or

Fujitsu Limited

Masatoshi Tsuada, 81-3-3213-4160

or

Ruder-Finn (for Lexmark International)

Amy Binder, 212/715-1505

or

MediaWorks (for Lexmark International)

Barbara Mechling, 81-3-3418-2276