Epson sees growth in robotics
EPSON EXPECTS 6 per cent revenue growth in this year, as the firm implements four strategies to drive business and maintain its top position in the inkjet printer market.
Yunyong Muneemongkoltorn, director of Epson (Thailand), said the firm’s growth plan will be based on a product strategy, service excellence, a channel strategy and marketing communication.
Under its product strategy, the firm will bring at least 15 new products to the market, such as a high-speed inkjet printer, a commercial and industrial printer, the 3LCD Laser projector and robotics.
The SCARA robots are among the fastest and most accurate in the industry, says Yungyong, with low residual vibration and a price 35 per cent price lower, and come with a built-in controller targeted for the education, small business and factory sectors. It expects to generate revenue growth above 50 per cent from robot safety by the end of this year.
Under its service excellence strategy, the firm aims to ensure that at least 90 per cent of devices submitted get repaired within one to three days. The firm also plans to provide on-site services to corporate customers who buy products from its four key product groups – high-speed inkjet printers, commercial and industrial printers, high-brightness laser projectors and robotic arms.
For the channel strategy, the firm will by the end this year reach a total 170 service centres nationwide, up from its current 154 centres.
Finally, under its marketing communication strategy, Epson (Thailand) plans to use both online and offline media in a bid to reach its target groups.
The factors driving its business growth continued robust economic growth into the mid-term, with increased investment leading to business and job creation. As well, digitisation is adding potential opportunities for new hardware adoption. Meanwhile, inkjets will come with high technology yet remain cost affordable, and so able to compete with laser printers.
Meanwhile, the negative factors affecting the market include the political uncertainty, the world economic slowdown, the US-China trade conflict, a continuing decline in consumer demand for printers due to a higher reliance on smart devices, and the intensification of competition that is affecting all brands.
He said that the firm by the end of this year expects to generate revenue growth up 6 per cent compared with last year. Revenue can be broken down as 89 per cent from domestic customers, and 11 per cent from the international market.
Toshimitsu Tanaka, managing director of Epson Singapore and Southeast Asia, said that the firm expects to see strong and continuing growth in the region for the next three years until fiscal year 2021. It will achieve it through its core technologies and manufacturing expertise. Epson has evolved to become a technology company with strengths across different key pillars in inkjet printing, visual products and industrial robotics, said Tanaka.
He said Thailand is among the top three countries in the region for the company, along with Indonesia and the Philippines. Epson Thailand has gained a 25 per cent revenue ratio of the entire region.
