Canon Cameras Push Revenues Up

After experiencing growth in the digital compact camera and digital SLR camera categories for the period January to September of last year, Canon Oceania has reported that its consumer imaging products have seen a 19 per cent growth in revenue for 2009.According to Canon, its PIXMA range achieved the long-held goal of inkjet printer market leadership, increasing market value and volume share to secure the #1 position at 33.5 per cent and 33.9 per cent, respectively. In addition, its Canon EOS achieved #1 market share by value in DSLR of 54 per cent, while its Canon IXUS and PowerShot achieved #1 market share by value in DSC, recording 23 per cent.

Canon Australia and New Zealand Managing Director, Kenji Kobayashi, said that in spite of a challenging business environment and a dampened local economy, the results were testimony to Canon’s innovative marketing campaigns and evolving business model.

“Our consumer imaging products – cameras, digital cameras and video cameras – have seen a 19% growth in revenue with the Single Lens Reflex (SLR) camera category seeing an extremely strong 42% growth in revenues. In inkjet printing, I am very proud that our PIXMA brand has achieved our long-held goal of market leadership in 2009, securing the #1 share for volume and value.”

“Australians’ and New Zealanders’ love affair with digital technology, combined with a succession of great products coming out of Japan and a significant investment in marketing and sales programs designed to excite and engage consumers contributed to this result,” Mr Kobayashi said.

“While the business products market proved more challenging for the entire industry, Canon has sharpened its suite of products, services and solutions and has plans to launch a number of ground breaking offerings in 2010.”

Canon Australia and New Zealand’s Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Managing Director, Allan Corder, said a focus on delivering to a sound strategy, developing long-term and engaging relationships with our channel partners and consumers, reducing costs and better management of inventory have contributed to the result.

“Canon was a driving force in growing the consumer market in 2009. Full year figures released last week confirm Canon’s market leadership across inkjet printing, digital still camera (DSC) and digital SLR categories in Australia. In 2010, we’ll continue to invest in programs to engage consumers’ passion for imaging and offer unique value to them and our channel partners,” said Corder.

Canon views its strong results in 2009 as a platform for future growth in 2010 and has been evolving its operation over time to adapt to changing market conditions toward profitable growth in the long-term.

“There is no doubt that 2010 will be a challenging year. We have transformed our business over the past 18 months to ensure that we are aligned to meet the needs of our customers and can take advantage of our unique ability to offer imaging solutions spanning capture, output and managed services,” concluded Kobayashi.