Canon sets 10% sales growth this year

PETALING JAYA: Canon Marketing (M) Sdn Bhd aims to increase its sales by 10% to RM720 million this year, boosted by its established foothold in digital printers, cameras and copiers as well as printing products market.
"Our main objective this year is to achieve sales turnover of RM720 million, which is 10% (more than the ) RM657 million we achieved in 2014," its president and CEO Wataru Nishioka told reporters during an interview.
"This is a big challenge for us in 2015, but I am very confident that we will be able to do it, with the strategies we have planned for this year," he added.
Wataru said the company recently expanded its digital printer business channel to small office home office (SOHO) market to grow its market share in the printer business globally.
"In the past, inkjet printer has been used by consumers for home use because of the cost and speed. But now with our technology, we developed a certain line of product, which we recently introduced Maxify product category."
"With that kind of new additional product line, we would like to sell inkjet printers to SOHO market through SI (system integration) channel," said Wataru, who noted that the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is one of the challenges for the company this year.
He said the company's other initiatives include strengthening its marketing activities, to raise brand awareness by conducting campaigns, seminars, promotions and contests at its operating outlets, namely Canon Image Square.
Wataru said 40% of the company's revenue is contributed by its printer division, 25% each from digital camera and copier divisions, while the remaining contribution comes from its large volume printer and large volume high-speed printer products.
Commenting on the GST's impact on its business, Wataru said he expects consumers to adopt a "wait-and-see" mindset this year.
However, he is confident that they will be able to minimize the impact of GST to its business going forward, by offering its customers attractive promotions and price deals.
"It is obvious that we will have some impact from GST because we are not planning to absorb the (6% of the) GST portion in our pricing. However, we are planning to offer many attractive promotions, so that we can give better deals to our customers."
"So that even after you include the 6% of GST, for end-users it is still going to be very attractive to buy Canon products. I am sure we will be able to minimize the impact of GST," he added.
The company provides total imaging solutions through its four business divisions, which comprises digital cameras, printers, digital copiers and professional printing products division.
It also offers Managed Document Services software that works seamlessly with its multi-function devices (copiers) that functions to enhance efficiency of workflow and management of cost and information security.
Currently it has 9 offices and 106 authorised service providers across the country.