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Anna Peter

Mumbai , Nov. 19

PRINTER major Epson is eager to grow its market share through its newest offering in the mid-level printer segment, from 22 per cent to 28 per cent.

Epson's inkjet business doubled from 10 per cent to 20 per cent last year. According to Mr Suresh Govindachari, Business Manager (Consumer Products), Epson, the company had gained market share at the cost of its rival, Hewlett-Packard (HP). Much of this increase was in the sub-Rs 3,000 or entry-level printer segment.

The company has an overall market share of 22 per cent, with the entry-level printer segment accounting for 85 per cent of these sales. In entry-level printers, the company claims to have a 35 per cent share of the domestic market.

The Epson Stylus C63 comes with DURABrite ink. The plus is that each of the four pigment dyes is contained in separate cartridges. The C63 is being targeted at the advanced home and small office home office (SOHO) segments, with advantages and benefits for corporates and media.

He added that the mid-priced (Rs 3,000-5,000) printer segment was not being addressed and Epson was going to concentrate on it. The product has been seeing huge offtake from distributors in Singapore, where it was launched in October, according to Mr Siew Jin Kiat, Manager, Product Marketing — Digital Image, IT Regional Business Division. A similar effect is being predicted in Malaysia and Thailand, where it was launched a few days ago.

Mr Kiat said there could be significant growth in digital camera printing segment, where cost of printing, especially in South-East Asia, had proved a deterrent.

The domestic printer market is roughly sized at 1 million printers.

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