News Release
Ricoh to discuss the evolution of the book industry and
impacts of technology-led disruption at London Book Fair
Ricoh Europe, London, 04 March 2014 – Ricoh Europe has announced that it will attend the
London Book Fair 2014 where it will reveal key findings from research into the European book
industry and the impacts of technology-led disruption.
At the show from 8 to 10 April in Earls Court, London, Ricoh will address the challenges and
opportunities posed by new technology and consider the next innovations on the horizon.
Company experts will also share insight into the past, present and future of the European book
industry, complemented by new Ricoh commissioned research by I.T. Strategies. The research –
which features interviews with leading European publishers – looks at the ongoing viability of
printed books, their value and fit in a fast-moving communications society and the European
regulations which slow down change.
Some of the key findings of the research are:

In North America printing of books is “becoming an offset-to-digital print substitution”

The European book publishing ecosystem is not yet feeling the same level of pressure to
switch to digital production – “the pressures are there, but faster inventory turns will have to
become more popular and price regulations will have to weaken before digital production
printing of books becomes a requirement for survival”

There is a window of opportunity – “European book printers who prepare to change their
infrastructure to a more automated, digital production infrastructure will do well when the
inevitable change to a more cost-efficient book production requirement occurs.”
Graham Moore, Director, Business Development, Ricoh says: “Fully adapting to the digital age is a
huge challenge for any business, particularly publishers and book printers. They are not alone, as
new research from the Economist Intelligence Unit, sponsored by Ricoh, reveals that 71 per cent
of European business executives say that their industry was exposed to moderate to extreme
technology-led disruption over the past three years. Publishers and book printers also have their
own unique set of challenges in responding to the disruption caused by changing reading habits,
eBooks and digital publishing models.“
During the three-day event, Ricoh will present its suite of innovative publishing solutions –
including its print on demand offering to reduce warehousing costs and local production solution to
lower distribution expenditure – designed to directly address the needs of today’s publisher. The
range combines flexibility with scale to ensure that publishers can produce content that is
RICOH Europe
www.ricoh-europe.com
20 Triton Street, London, NW1 3BF. Phone: +44 (0) 207 465 1153 Fax: +44 (0) 207 224 5740
E-mail : [email protected]
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accessible across a range of channels and devices. Ricoh experts will also advise on how
publishers can adapt their models for the future.
Moore adds: “The I.T. Strategies research highlights some interesting challenges and opportunities
for the European book industry. The research confirms our own experience which shows that now
could well be the time for European book printers to plan for a digital future, and take advantage of
future technology-driven change. We are looking forward to contributing to the discussions at the
London Book Fair and understanding where we can further partner with publishers as they
continue to evolve their deep history of adapting to customer demands and market changes, and
maintaining their longstanding appetite for innovation.”
To download the “The Evolution of the Book Industry: Implications for European Book
Manufacturers and Printers” visit: www.ricoh-europe.com/the-evolution-of-the-book-industry.
-ends-
| About Ricoh |
Ricoh is a global technology company specialising in office imaging equipment, production print solutions,
document management systems and IT services. Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh Group operates in about
200 countries and regions. In the financial year ending March 2013, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of
1,924 billion yen (approx. 20 billion USD).
The majority of the company's revenue comes from products, solutions and services that improve the
interaction between people and information. Ricoh also produces award-winning digital cameras and
specialised industrial products. It is known for the quality of its technology, the exceptional standard of its
customer service and sustainability initiatives.
Under its corporate tagline, imagine. change., Ricoh helps companies transform the way they work and
harness the collective imagination of their employees.
For further information, please visit www.ricoh-europe.com
| About I.T. Strategies |
I.T. Strategies, Inc. is a research consultancy dedicated to serving digital colour printing equipment and
supplies manufacturers. The company delivers intelligent data, analysis, strategy and implementation
practices to vendors in the digital printing industry around the world on applications ranging from 3D
printing to wide-format graphics poster printing, centering around inkjet technology development.
| About the research |
I.T. Strategies conducted 18 qualitative interviews with publishers, book printers and consumers in France,
Holland, Germany and the UK.
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For further information, please contact:
Ricoh Europe PLC
Janice O’Donnell / Jack Gibson
Tel: +44 (0)20 7465 1107 / +44 (0)20 3033 3766
E-mail: [email protected]
Homepage: www.ricoh-europe.com
Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ricoheurope
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ricoheurope
Visit the Ricoh media centre at: www.ricoh-europe.com/press
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