Canon Summit Portrays Vision to 'See Impossible'

As part of a recently completed organizational restructuring, Toyo Kuwamura now also serves as the VP and GM for the Business Imaging Solutions Group of Canon U.S.A.

Francis A. McMahon revealed that Canon generated more than $85 million in sales during drupa. That was partly driven by continued market success of the enhanced Océ VarioPrint i300 sheetfed inkjet press.

The rollout of a new business builder program to aid Canon Large Format Solutions customers was just one new development described by Sal Sheikh.

MELVILLE, N.Y. — Canon has embraced a tagline, “See Impossible,” which brings focus to a misconception that what may appear impossible for an organization to achieve, can be entirely possible through an unwavering company-wide commitment to teamwork, product innovation and a strong focus on the customer. That message was driven home during a two-day Canon summit held last month for press and analysts at Canon Americas’ headquarters here.

And perhaps to signify the importance of that corporate mantra from the top down, Joe Adachi, chairman and CEO of Canon Americas Group, was on hand to lead off the meeting with a recap of Canon’s financial success and its strong R&D commitment to maintain a leadership position in the various industries it serves. Canon reported net sales of $31.4 billion worldwide in 2015, 30% of which was generated in the Americas. According to Adachi, Canon was also ranked third in U.S. patents granted last year, a testament to the 7-8% of total revenue it invests into R&D annually.

He was followed by Canon Solutions America President and CEO Toyo Kuwamura, who was also named executive VP and GM of the Business Imaging Solutions Group (BISG) of Canon U.S.A. in April. Coining a “One Canon” reference, Kuwamura said his new job title reflects a more streamlined organizational structure that better unites Canon Solutions America, Canon Information & Imaging Solutions, Canon Financial Solutions and Canon Business Process Services within the BISG of Canon U.S.A.

The goal of the “One Canon” strategy is to evolve from a product-driven to a customer-driven organization, he added, through greater collaboration and by leveraging the full power of Canon’s capabilties to deliver integrated solutions.

Francis A. McMahon, senior VP, marketing and sales operations, Production Print Solutions (PPS), at Canon Solutions America — who served as master of ceremonies during the summit event — has also been named VP of BISG Océ Products, PPS marketing and support, at Canon U.S.A.

McMahon noted that drupa generated more than $85 million in revenue for Canon, partly fueled by the market dominance of the imagePRESS C700/C800 series; the new ColorStream 6000 Chroma continuous-feed inkjet press that features new Chromera pigment inks; and enhancements to the VarioPrint i300 sheetfed inkjet press, such as the ColorGrip spot pre-coating option that enables higher print quality and usage of commodity uncoated and coated offset stocks.

McMahon revealed that 40 Océ VarioPrint i300s have been installed thus far. Average monthly volumes have been about 2.5 million impressions, with i300 user Progressive Impressions reaching more than 8.5 peak monthly impressions.

He also provided more details on the “Voyager” inkjet prototype, which previewed at drupa as a technology demonstration. The process is designed to lay the image onto a blanket vs. directly onto the paper using Canon’s own inkjet printheads to achieve photo-quality output. The B2+-sheet size, seven-color press will run at 3,000 sph and is well-suited for the publication, book and direct mail markets. A market launch is currently planned for 2018.

Lori Messina, executive VP at Access Direct Systems, provided a customer perspective at the event. Access Direct completely transitioned to inkjet in one year with the help of Canon Solutions America by installing Océ ColorStream presses and a VarioPrint i300. Access produces and mails more than 1 billion direct mail pieces per year.

On the wide-format inkjet printer front, Sal Sheikh, VP of marketing, Large Format Solutions (LFS), Canon Solutions America, and newly named senior director of Océ Products, LFS marketing and support, at Canon U.S.A., also revealed noteworthy drupa introductions. Among them were the new Arizona 2200 series flatbed printers. Available in two bed sizes (5x8-ft. and 10x8-ft.)and featuring up to eight ink channels, the units incorporate automated maintenance stations and substrate positioning pins.

Sheikh also explained a new LFS business builder program designed to provide client needs and solution analysis; product training and best practices; and professional training services regarding suitable applications, color management and workflow, as well as sales and marketing. PI