Survey of Independent Office Equipment Dealers Names Canon 'Color Copier and Printer Manufacturer of the Year'

Business Wire, May 24, 2000

Business/Technology Editors

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 24, 2000

Findings from Marketing Research Consultants

Survey Affirms Canon Color Leadership

Canon U.S.A., Inc., the company whose imaging solutions give people Know How, announced today that it has been named "Color Copier and Printer Manufacturer of the Year" for 1999 by Marketing Research Consultants (MRC), an analyst firm which reports on the office equipment marketplace.

The award is based on the results of the firm's 15th Annual Independent Dealer Survey, which compiled opinions and information from 325 copier resellers nationwide.

"We are extremely pleased to be acknowledged by the dealer community for the quality and value offered by our industry-leading color laser copiers and printers," said Mason Olds, director and general manager, Graphics Systems Division, Canon Imaging Systems Group. "Findings derived from surveys such as this one, and 1999 market share studies that show Canon as number one in color laser copiers, clearly indicate our ongoing leadership position in the color arena."

"It gives me great pleasure to announce that Canon has been selected as 'Color Products Manufacturer of the Year' for the second year-in-a-row," said Frank Cannata, president of Marketing Research Consultants, and publisher of The Cannata Report. "Canon has clearly positioned itself as the premier supplier of color copiers and printers. This recognition comes from not only Canon dealers but their competitors as well."

The award for 1999 Color Copier and Printer Manufacturer of the Year will be presented to Canon U.S.A. at a ceremony to be held on June 27, 2000 at a charity fundraiser dinner in the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. The complete results of Marketing Research Consultants' 15th annual dealer survey will be available in the June issue of The Cannata Report.

Canon Color Leadership: A Long Track Record at Number One

The top U.S. color laser copier ranking marks Canon's 13th consecutive year as number one, with 12,600 unit shipments and 33% share in 1999, according to Dataquest, a unit of Gartner Group Inc. Findings by International Data Corporation (IDC) also report Canon's top position in color laser copiers with 33% share in 1999.

Within the category of devices that copy and print full color output at 10-23 pages-per-minute (ppm), the CLC 1100 Series was number one, selling 4,975 of the 10,275 units shipped industry-wide in 1999. Canon's 48% market share in this segment represents more than double that of its nearest competitor Xerox, with 2,400 unit shipments and 23% share, according to IDC.

The company continues to leverage its success in the color laser copier market, with revenue growing 23% in Q1 2000 over the same quarter in 1999 -- outpacing the growth of the U.S. market. In terms of unit shipments, Canon's growth of 52% in Q 1 2000 far exceeded the industry's annual growth rate of 16% reported by Dataquest.

Canon: The Most Recognized Name in Color Laser Copiers

Echoing the market share numbers reported here, Digital Output magazine reported in their Third Annual Hardware Brand Awareness Study for 2000 that the Canon brand is recognized by 35.43% or respondents with regard to color laser copiers, compared to 29.40% for Xerox and 8.92% for Ricoh.

Canon U.S.A., Inc. is an industry leader in professional and consumer imaging solutions and, through its parent company, Canon Inc., is a top patent-holder of imaging technologies. The company's comprehensive product line includes networked multifunction devices; digital and analog copiers (color and black and white); printers, scanners, image filing systems, and facsimile machines; camcorders, cameras and lenses; and semiconductor, broadcast and medical equipment. Canon employs 12,000 people at more than 30 facilities throughout North, Central and South America and the Caribbean.

All referenced product names are trademarks of their respective owners.

Canon U.S.A. Web site: http://www.usa.canon.com

For sales info/customer support: 1-800-OK-CANON

ccenter@va.ccsi.canon.com