Canon India unveils 36 new products

Unveiling 36 new products across categories, Canon India announced its entry into the high-end print and publishing market. The company expects the southern region to account for one third of its total turnover.

During 2006, the company is eyeing a turnover of Rs 400 crore, about 35 per cent growth over 2005. It has earmarked Rs 30 crore for its marketing initiatives this year and expects to achieve the leadership position in digital cameras and digital copiers.

Addressing a press conference, Alan Grant, president and chief executive officer, Canon India, said that its foray into high volume print and publishing market was part of its three-pronged strategy to achieve the leadership position in India.

He added that the print market "� production and professional printing "� in India was witnessing rapid digital transition and was growing over 100 per cent per annum. The market size is currently estimated at about Rs 250 crore and has the potential to reach Rs 1,000 crore in the next three years. By 2010, 65 per cent of printing will be digital with offset printing accounting for the rest, he added.

The digital camera segment is the rapidly growing area of the company. Its market share in the first quarter of 2006 was about 25 per cent and emerged as the second largest player in the segment, said Alok Bhardwaj, vice president, Canon India.

From a contribution of one per cent turnover in 2003 and four per cent in 2004, digicam business has grown to contribute 16 per cent to the Canon India's turnover in 2005. During this year, the digicam segment is expected to contribute about Rs 100 crore to the total turnover of Rs 400 crore and by 2010, the company expects digicam business to account for half its turnover.

Bharadwaj said that the company had established a strong presence in the southern region where the business was reporting high growth. South is the largest contributor to Canon India's revenue and its contribution has increased from 27 per cent in 2005 to 30 per cent in the first quarter of 2006.

The contribution from all product groups "� copiers, printers and digicams "� is the highest from South India. "We expect the southern region to account for one-third of our total turnover by the end of this year," he added.

During this year, the company plans to increase the number of Canon experience zones, digiclick zones, digital imaging zones and other centres. It is also planning retail tie-ups to market its products and to strengthen its focus on small towns .

The new products launched today include digital cameras, video camcorders, inkjet printers, laser printers, all-in-ones and projectors among others.