Company Press Release:
Dubai — Canon Middle East has posted record first half growth of more than 45 percent in its regional business, with no end to the growth trend in sight, according to regional general manager of Canon Middle East Gordon Jones.
The company's Middle East sales growth, compared to first half 1999, has been driven by the movement towards digital imaging products, a field where Canon has taken a clear regional lead.
"We are following a consistent policy of investment in training and development together with our partners around the region, and this has been reflected in strong growth for Canon. We're pleased with the progress to date, but we are also more determined than ever to work harder and continue investing in the market," said Jones.
Canon, which opened its Middle East regional office in Dubai, UAE, in October 1998, has steadily built its regional staff and business investment programs, working alongside distribution partners in key regional markets.
A major push for the company has been in delivering personnel development and training for its regional partners: "Training is vital and an ongoing activity for Canon and is being significantly developed with our partners," said Jones. "Canon has built new levels of digital capability into its products, ranging from copiers and office equipment to digital cameras and our success over the past year has had a lot to do with how office automation capabilities translate into efficiencies for customers."
Another key reason for Canon's strong regional performance is the move to information technology in the Middle East: "We have seen particularly strong growth in sales of the new generation multifunction machines, as well as in small business peripherals such as scanners and high-quality, low-cost printers across the region," said Jones. "At the same time, the larger scale business machines and integrated imaging solutions are now generating major new business opportunities. This has confirmed our belief in the Middle East market as a key growth area for Canon. The business machines segment of our regional business has grown by 57 percent in total, representing a very strong rise in awareness and demand."
The company has also announced that it is to expand its Middle East regional team, adding a further 5-6 specialists at its Dubai regional headquarters in the fall. Together with aggressive recruitment taking place among many of the company's distribution partners in the region, the company's increased staff complement will help to deliver services to a fast-expanding customer base.
According to Jones: "GITEX, in particular, will see some stunning new announcements from Canon, and we do want to be ready to answer the demand for the new solutions we are bringing to the region, as well as to provide our customers with high quality support services."
About Canon
Canon is a $25.7 billion company and is recognized as one of the world’s leading companies in business machines, including imaging systems and computer input/output devices, cameras and optical products.
Canon Contact: Michel Sabbagh, Marketing Manager
Canon Middle East B.V.
Tel: (9714) 3313475 Fax: (9714) 3312148
E-mail: [email protected]
© 2000 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
