SEOUL, KOREA - Japan's Sharp Corp. is reviewing a plan to supply multifunctional printers to Samsung Electronics on an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) basis, reported The Asahi Shimbun on June 18. The news report said that Sharp will be able to increase its multifunctional printer sales by taking advantage of Samsung's global marketing network.
A multifunctional printer, or an all-in-one printer, is an office machine that incorporates the functionality of photocopier, fax machine, and scanner, in addition to printer. The multifunctional printer business is one of the most lucrative business units for Sharp.
According to market research firm Data Supplies, Sharp's global market share in the multifunctional printer category last year was 12.5 percent in terms of unit shipped. Meanwhile, that for Samsung was only 1 to 2 percent.
Earlier in March Samsung Electronics had made an equity investment of 10.4 billion yen (US$109 million) in the Japanese company, becoming a 3-percent shareholder.
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